Kenya Braces For Critical Talks Between Govt and Opposition

Kenya's President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza party and his opposition presidential opponent Raila Odinga, of the Azimo La Umoja coalition, are gearing up for bipartisan talks, on the future of the country.

The talks stem from protests across Kenya, led by Odinga, against among other things, the rising costs of foodstuffs and fuel. The protests were also spurred by the government's new finance act, which will see Kenyans heavily taxed, to fund government infrastructure projects. Kenya's government is taking this initiative to stop the increase in government loans. The new act was put on hold by the courts, pending further evaluation.

Ruto spoke in Githurai, Kiambu County, during the start of his five-day developmental tour of Mt. Kenya, and made it clear that he was not enthusiastic about the talks and asserted that he would not yield to any threats whatsoever from the opposition. Ruto added that he would not let anyone derail his agenda for the country.

Kenya Kwanza and Azimio have formed five-member teams to address urgent issues in the country, including the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).