As Azimio coalition leader Raila Odinga alias Baba and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua keep releasing inconsistencies, a stalemate over which side, the government or the opposition, initially reached out to the other for a ceasefire amid recent unrest across the country looms.
Addressing the AIPCA Ngarariga Church in Kiambu County's Limuru Constituency on Thursday, the deputy president said that the opposition asked for a truce after understanding that rallies against President William Ruto's government were a lost cause that would result in nothing.
The DP said that the government would take seriously the opposition's threats to return to the streets if their demands were correctly fulfilled during the talks.
"These folks contacted our President. They said they had reached a dead end and desired an escape strategy. "Our generous president said fine, and he gave them the go-ahead to go to Parliament and discuss their issues," he claimed.
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"When the President called to inform us of his decision, we said fine." They are again threatening to return to the streets, but I want to state that we will not allow anyone to destroy Kenyan property."
Mr Odinga, on the other hand, alleges that it was President Ruto who reached out to him and his team, asking them to put off their nationwide rallies and allow for dialogue.
According to the Azimio chairman, who spoke at a Parliamentary Group meeting on Thursday, the Head of State asked them to keep their rioting to a minimum, especially during this easter and Ramadan period, to which they agreed.
"William Ruto asked me and Azimio to enter into a legal, open-ended, and obligatory conversation with the current government to find a solution to the problems we raised about last year's election and key governance in our country and cost of living issues confronting our country," Mr Odinga said.
"His call came amid our discussions with other diverse Kenyans, including religious leaders of all faiths, about the crisis confronting our country." They begged us to engage in discourse, especially during the holy months of Easter and Ramadan. In this setting, we resolved to suspend the protests and give dialogue a chance."
The opposition head said they agreed to the discussions since they were the only option to restore peace in the country.
He noted that their goals are pure ahead of the bipartisan talks, and they hope that some of their more pressing concerns, including the expense of living, are handled as such.
"We know, and Ruto knows, that such dialogue, give-and-take processes have saved Kenya in the past, and they can save our nation now." "We've decided to give him the benefit of the doubt," he explained.
"We enter these negotiations confident that our cause is just, our intentions are clear, and our goal is patriotic." We go into these talks knowing that some topics are vital, cannot wait, and do not require discussions."
"We agree that an equal parliament process co-chaired by both parties and supported by experts is an appropriate way to proceed," Mr Odinga stated.