President Ruto asks Raila to call off demonstrations

President Ruto asks Raila to call off demonstrations.

President William Ruto has asked ODM party leader Raila Odinga to call off demonstrations.

Addressing Kenyans from State House Nairobi on Sunday, the President said he is ready to talk to any leader.

“Our position is that we want to engage our brothers and sisters on the other side on issues that are important to Kenyans, them as an opposition, us as a government,” he said.

“My door still remains open for honest, objective and sincere deliberations based on the rule of law and the Constitution,” he added.

He suggested that Parliament to help in the reconstitution of the IEBC panel within the parameters of the law and the Constitution.

“I urge Raila and the opposition to call off the demonstration and give bi- partisan approach for us to take Kenya forward.” he asked.

Ruto said he has listened to issues raised by the leader and saw it wise to back down on his hardline stance for the betterment of the country.

“I have carefully listened to the issues raised by my friend Raila Odinga. In times like these, it is not about who is right or who is wrong. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak but it is also what it takes to sit down and listen,” he said.

Among the issues, the President said will be made to accommodate the opposition’s views is the recruitment of the IEBC commissioners.

He referred the matter back to parliament for a bi-partisan approach to arrive at a neutral position.

Earlier in the day, Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga said they were ready for the next phase of anti-government protests dubbed ‘Mega Monday’.

Taking to his Twitter, Raila said they are ready for the fourth peaceful protest tomorrow.

The opposition has been taking to the streets every Monday and Thursday.

On Saturday, he said Monday’s demos will be the mother of all demonstration..

The demos have seen at least 10 people including police officers lose their lives so far.