Raila calls off Azimio protests

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader, Raila Odinga has called off the twice per week protests.

Odinga, in the company of other Azimio leaders among them Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Jeremiah Kioni called off the demos on Sunday evening, in Nairobi.

Raila said the demos scheduled for Monday April 03, 2023 stand cancelled.

The ODM party boss issued a statement few hours after President William Ruto addressed the nation, urging him and his Azimio brigade to call off the protests.

The head of State said his administration is ready for a bi-partisan approach with opposition in Parliament, so as to resolve some of the issues raised by Odinga and Co.

In a rejoinder, Odinga said the Head of State's statement was the most important he has ever issued, since the August, 2022 polls.

"We acknowledge Ruto's olive branch for dialogue," said Odinga.

He said that the bi-partisan committee should be formed with immediate effect, adding that they reserve the right to call for demos again should nothing tangible happen going foward.

"We reserve our rights to call for demos should there be no meaningful talks," he added.

Odinga said Azimio supporters arrested during the two weeks demos should be released, and the prosecution process initiated against them stopped with immediate effect.

The demos saw several people killed, property worth millions of shillings destroyed or looted, besides a host of Kenyans being injured.

In Kisumu alone, four people died among them a police officer.

In some Azimio strongholds such as Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homabay, Kibra and Mathare learners were only attending school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.