While referring to the opposition’s street demonstrations, the President stated that he is open to all types of conversations, but not those accompanied by violence and protests.
President Ruto said on Tuesday while presiding over the performance contracts of government top brass, hinting at his willingness to meet and talk with Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance.
“Using violence as a currency for politics in Kenya, and in doing so, causing the deaths of other citizens; just as we said no to extrajudicial killings, we have said no to violence as a means of politics in Kenya,” the President stated in his State House address.
According to Ruto, the country has lost lives as a result of the anti-government protests, as well as the rise of murder squads.
“I dare to say that we did not get rid of extrajudicial killings that resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 Kenyans who ended up in the Tana River, River Yala, and Aberdares, so that we can entertain another culture of impunity,” he said.
During a meeting with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, the two coalitions agreed to form a joint committee of ten members, which will comprise majority and minority leaders of the National Assembly.
Azimio coalition appointed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as their lead negotiator.
Other members of the opposition team include Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya party leader), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira Senator), Amina Mnyazi(Malindi MP) and Opiyo Wandayi (National Assembly Minority Leader).
Kenya Kwanza is yet to release a list of five members who will meet with their Azimio counterparts.
While the President spoke at State House, Raila Odinga, the head of the Azimio party, presided over a Parliamentary Group meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) offices in Lang’ata Constituency.
The Azimio alliance is believed to have discussed on the framework for the negotiations, the start date of which is unknown.