Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has said the delegation team is ready to have the talks at Bomas of Kenya.
While speaking in Karen on Tuesday, August 8 Raila reaffirmed their commitment for the planned talks.
He explained that Bomas of Kenya represents a sacred ground for reforms and national healing.
“Regarding the planned talks with Kenya Kwanza, we are here to announce that we are ready to return to Bomas of Kenya. We continue to Regard Bomas of Kenya as a sacred ground when it comes to reforms, change and national healing” Raila stated.
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Moreover, Odinga announced that Azimio has put in place a technical and legal team to be headed by Jeremiah Kioni to support the delegation to the dialogue.
“Consequently, we have settled on Hon. Jeremiah Kioni, the Secretary General of the Jubilee Party, to head the Legal and Technical team to the talks,” Raila said.
“We have tasked our delegation and our technical teams, under the able leadership of H.E. Kalonzo and Kioni to go to these talks with courage and open minds. It takes courage and open minds to establish common ground in situations of dispute,” he added.
Furthermore, the ODM leader highlighted that engaging in honest dialogue does not amount to surrender or cowardice.
He noted that it is a sign of strength and an issue of common sense.
“We remain committed to negotiating in good faith on the basis of a plan to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the country’s problems through dialogue.
We stand for transparent, above board and speedy talks guided by decorum, honesty, and respect for the people of Kenya,” Raila stated.
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The former Prime Minister added that they aim to achieve peace and not paralysis in the country, explaining further that it is the reason the coalition suspended their protests to give dialogue a chance.
Likewise, Raila called on leaders from the Kenya Kwanza outfit to stop propaganda saying it will not solve the country’s problems.
“We appeal to Kenya Kwanza that vitriol must now end because it won’t work. Propaganda must now end because it has not solved our problems this past year and it won’t, in the coming year.
Our people and the whole world are watching us, and we encourage them to watch us and to hold us to account,” he said.
Raila Slams IG of Police
Furthermore, Azimio criticized the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome claiming Azimio hired dead bodies to accuse police of Brutality.
Raila said the bodies they buried have bullet wounds and death certificates confirming the cause of deaths.
“One’s neck was chopped of in Sondu and another one was a victim of arrow attack. These are real deaths killed by goons masquerading as police officers,” stated Raila.
The Azimio leader condemned police brutality during the anti-government protests.
“If you want to know how brutal and murderous our security forces were in the protests, you have to pay attention to the burials that are taking place across Kenya,” he explained.
Raila Odinga said they can confirm police killed and wounded many Kenyans, noting that they will do whatever it takes to ensure justice for the victims.