President William Ruto has proposed a bi-partisan consultation in Parliament on the there-constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) panel urging opposition to call off the protests.
He said the review must take place within the parameters of the law and the Constitution. The President said the opposition’s demands on the IEBC selection panel can easily be addressed in Parliament.
According to the President, he has never failed or held back from discussions with any leader in Kenya, implying he’s ready for talks on the way forward to ensure peace and stability in the nation. Adding that his take on the issue was not about who is right or who is wrong courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; it is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
The public address by the president was followed by the Opposition leader’s press briefing that emphasized on the urgency6 in addressing the cost of living amongst some of his demands laid out to the government in the protests.
Raila Amolo Odinga called off the scheduled Monday and Thursday protests that have incessantly been messing the business operations on these particular days as traders fear for their goods and services’ safety.
The opposition’s demands on the IEBC selection panel can easily be addressed in Parliament
He made the remarks on Sunday at the State House, Nairobi, accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua when he addressed the nation.
Dr. Ruto said he is ready to engage all Kenyans as he has done with leaders from all political divides.
He asked Opposition Leader Raila Odinga to call off demonstrations “in view of the recent events that led to the loss of lives and destruction of property”.
The President regretted that violence, chaos, and disorder had deflected the Government’s focus on economic transformation.
He said he was committed to upholding the freedom of the media “even with its biases against the Government”.
