Ruto Outlines Rules of Engagement With Raila

At the Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting held at the State House, President William Ruto explained to ruling coalition MPs the reasons behind his truce with opposition leader Raila Odinga, and his grievances with some of the proposals from the opposition.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who criticised coalition members sympathetic to the opposition. The President ruled out the reinstatement of multibillion-shilling food and fuel subsidies that he referred to as “budgeted corruption,” and the opening of presidential election servers.

He removed the two issues from the agenda of the bipartisan committee, which caused a rift with Azimio la Umoja, the opposition coalition. During the meeting, Mr Gachagua emphasised the unity of the coalition against the opposition and criticised members who were supporting the rival’s messaging.

The exclusion of hardliners from the committee to dialogue with the opposition side was agreed upon, with the government’s seven representatives in the bipartisan committee being named.

The inclusion of one of the representatives, Mr Adan Keynan, who was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket, may cause controversy as one of Mr Odinga’s demands is for the President to respect multi-party democracy and stop poaching opposition lawmakers.