Why I have been silent - Raila Odinga speaks

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence on a myriad of issues affecting the country, including the hot topic of the rising cost of living.

Mr. Odinga denied that his unusual withdrawal from the economic affairs of the country in recent times has heavily contributed to the current state of affairs, in which the Kenya Kwanza administration has been blasted for burdening Kenyans with many taxes.

He revealed that his silence has been to give the bipartisan talks being conducted by the National dialogue Committee that is composed of both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza leaders ample time to come up with solutions.

According to the opposition boss, he did not want to speak up prematurely and risk being accused of sabotaging the progress.

“Mazungumzo yameanza yakiongozwa na Kalonzo na Kimani Ichung’wa. Tulikubaliana hatungesema lolote ambalo linaweza kuharibu mazungumzo, hilo ndilo sababu mimi nimekimya,” he said in an interview with KTN News.

The Azimio chief went on to disclose that prior to the formulation of the dialogue committee, President William Ruto and himself – under the tutelage of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo - had agreed that neither of the disputing parties would entangle themselves in the proceedings of the talks.

He said his outfit had resolved not to back down in their push for government reforms through the anti-government protests, but later terminated the demonstrations following an advisory from global leaders.

The former premier also claimed that President Ruto had first invited his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu to mend fences between him and Odinga, but later pulled a no-show at the planned talks.

“Tulikuwa tumeongea mbeleni lakini serikali haikutuskiza. Tulikuwa tukifanya maandamano na athari nyingi ikapatikana; serikali ikawaua wafuasi wengi wetu lakini sisi tulisema tungeendelea mbele ijapokuwa marafiki wa Kenya wengi walitushauri tuzungumze,” Odinga explained.

“Jirani yetu Mama Samia Suluhu alikuja hapa Kenya kwa mwaaliko wa Rais Ruto aje atupatanishe lakini alipokuja, Ruto akabadilisha maoni yake; watu wake wakakataa asikuje kwa mazungumzo. Mama akakaa siku mbili kisha akarudi nyumbani.”

He added: “Other friends came including South African President Ramaphosa and later Obasanjo, with whom we had a dialogue.”

On whether he is confident of a positive outcome from the dialogue, Mr. Odinga remained taciturn reiterating that he hopes for the best, hinting that a negative outcome may force the opposition to consider another approach.

“I am waiting for the talks to conclude. We expect that they will come up with solutions…I have my own views regarding the talks but I will not speak until the dialogue is concluded,” he noted.

“Ikiwa suluhu itapatikana, itakuwa sawa. Kama kutakuwa na tatizo tutaendelea kupambana vile tulikuwa tunapambana.”