- Speaking Thursday during a public bazara, Raila acknowledged that President William Ruto's was not committed to the talks.
- He was responding to calls by some of the leaders, supporters and stakeholders during the forum that the protests should proceed.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga has said they are considering holding demonstrations even as talks continue.
Speaking Thursday during a public baraza, Raila acknowledged that President William Ruto was not committed to the talks.
He was responding to calls by some of the leaders, supporters and stakeholders during the forum that the protests should proceed.
"Mazumgumzo iendelee na maandamano sambamba...dawa ya moto ni moto, kwa hivyo tunaendelea," said Raila.
He stated that he will be announcing the next action after the end of Ramadhan.
Ramadhan ends on April 21.
He cited a lack of openness and honesty from their opponents in the government.
The ODM leader announced the suspension of the demonstrations on April 2 following an appeal by Ruto in an address to the nation the same day.
In softening his stance, Ruto suggested a bi-partisan engagement in Parliament on the reconstitution of the IEBC panel within the parameters of the law and the Constitution.
While both camps have already picked negotiators to sit in the panel, the Raila-led wing has made fresh demands and even taken issue with members nominated by the Kenya Kwanza.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has argued that the members were selected to sabotage the peace talks.
Among them is Jubilee's Adan Keynan.
"We are totally surprised and stunned by the fact that they have appointed Adan Keynan who is a member of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition," he said.
Others are Boni Khalwale (Kakamega Senator), George Murugara (MP Tharaka), Esther Okenyuri (Nominated Senator), Mwangi Mutuse (MP Kibwezi West), Lydia Haika (Women Rep Taita Taveta), Hillary Sigei (Senator Bomet) and Adan Keynan MP Eldas.
On the other hand, Azimio has Senators Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), Enoch Wambua (Kitui) and MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), David PKosing (Pokot South), and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
His agreement to dialogue with the government, he noted, should not be misconstrued as his weakness.
"Kenya is bigger. We have embraced these talks with hope and we want it to be held with equal respect which will reflect and also be in line with the Law," Raila stated.
The claims by President Ruto and his allies that talks can never be held outside parliament, he argued, is inconsequential since they had it before when they faced a similar crisis.
"When we had talks chaired by the late Kofi Annan, it was not considered to be illegal or unconstitutional.. at the end the product was taken to Parliament and approved unanimously. We are facing a similar situation here today," he observed.
Earlier on, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said they are ready to continue with the nationwide demonstrations against the government.
Kalonzo claimed Ruto is not committed to the dialogue process.
"How can you prefix dialogue with denial in the first place that this is it? That, we can only discuss IEBC reconstitution...this makes me think they are not serious," said Kalonzo.
Appearing to concur with the views given by a section of participants, Kalonzo said the resolutions of the meeting must include a call for the return of protests.
"A time has come when we must call a spade a spade, they must recognize that all Kenyans have equal rights and that you cannot sit on my rights and pretend you are doing me a favour" he said.
"The right to demonstration is well captured in the Constitution."
Others who attended the meeting are Narc-K leader Martha Karua, Wycliffe Oparanya, Eugene Wamalwa, Jeremiah Kioni, former Murang’a Governor Mwani wa Iria and National Assembly minority leader Opiyo among a host of elected leaders.
The Azimio leaders have planned a public rally at Kamukunji grounds on Sunday.
Human rights activists, intellectuals, faith-based organisations, trade unions, farmers' associations, small businesses and other civil society organisations had been invited to make presentations.
While adding pressure to have the servers opened, Karua said the responsibility to provide the records of election belongs to a public institution funded by taxpayers.
"If we refuse to open the servers we shall be again sweeping the data under the carpet and one day this nation will explode," she remarked.
On the recently released book-Why Raila is not the 5th-by Raila's chief agent Saitabao ole Kanchory, Karua defended him from criticisms saying he is just airing his views as it is.
Her statement came after former deputy governor Caroline Karugu rubbished the contents and revelations as untrue.
"He is giving his truth as he sees it. We may dispute everything or another but there is no doubt that the young man is an Azimio blood and that he did his work which he was meant to do...Let us allow open debate on issue even where some of you not agree a 100 percent," she noted.
Mwadzaya said the only language that Kenya Kwanza understands is demos.
Kioni said Ruto is out to damage the political parties so that he can have an unassailable win in 2027.
"We must stop him now," he said.
Oparanya called for the return of food subsidies as a way of addressing the high cost of living.
He also proposed for the scrapping of entire electoral commission.
He claimed those involved in the stealing of the election are still in the and ought to be sent away so that a new team is created.
Oparanya who is the Azimio la umoja secretariat chair also defended retired president Uhuru Kenyatta from claims he has been financing the demonstrations.
Wamalwa said the demeanour of Ruto from when he appealed for the suspension of the protests to unveiling of the members to the bipartisan team has changed showing lack of good faith.
"The legitimacy of Ruto presidency will be given once he agrees to have the servers opened," he stated.