NCIC boss Kobia speaks on Ruto, Raila truce

Various stakeholders within and out of the country continue to react positively to suspension of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya protests.

The bi-weekly protests were called off on Sunday by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, after President William Ruto suggested a bipartisan approach to resolve some of the issues raised by Odinga and Co.

The issues include lowering the cost of living and recruiting new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson and commissioners.

On Tuesday, Samuel Kobia, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman applauded President Ruto and Odinga for agreeing to hold dialogue.

Kobia, in a statement said Ruto and Odinga's decision was a sign of significant, statesmanship and insightful leadership.

"We commend the Rt. Hon Raila Amolo Odinga for accepting the olive branch and calling off scheduled demonstrations. The two leaders have demonstrated statesmanship and deserve support for the courageous steps they have taken towards resolving all issues at the table through dialogue,” he said.

The NCIC boss said the constitutional body will be convening a series of national conversations on economic prosperity, political stability and social cohesion in Kenya, going foward.

"These conversations shall target Kenyans from all walks of life to deliberate on the critical issues affecting the lives of ordinary wananchi and the middle class as well."

Before the demos were called off, Kobia was vocal in condemning the protests, stating that they were raising political tension in the country.

“We call for dialogue; this option is available and we advocate for this. We can't solve issues by shouting at each other. We call on political divides to come and dialogue and put the interests of Kenyans first," Kobia said last week.

The process of developing a framework for bipartisan engagement between the government and the opposition, is ongoing.

It is a matter of wait and see what the process will bear.