The Azimio's leader, Raila Odinga, has been challenged by President William Ruto to speak with him directly rather than pestering Kenyans with pointless mass protests.

PHOTO | COURTESY President Ruto at the development visit in Kisii county

President Ruto challenged Odinga to address his concerns after running against him in the August 2022 elections while managing the Kitutu Chache North Constituency in Kisii County on Friday.

Quit upsetting Kenyans, he added, and stop being haughty and disdainful of ordinary people.

President Ruto defeated Odinga by a margin of 200 000 votes in the election, and Odinga unsuccessfully appealed the result to the Supreme Court.

The President of State emphasized that Odinga's strategy of widespread protests would produce no tangible results but cause mayhem and further damage to the nation's economy.

"Odinga is aware that the protests won't reduce the high cost of living in the nation. He need to cease troubling and upsetting Kenyans", the man said.

PHOTO | COURTESY President Ruto tells Raila to face him instead of intimidating Kenyans

He reaffirmed his readiness and willingness to cooperate with political figures who share his political views and agenda.

Odinga and his supporters are already preparing for their protests on February 27 and 30, 2023, as they press the government to solve critical issues, like lowering the country's high cost of living and election reform requirements.

The President had earlier warned that his administration would take severe action against "economic terrorists" who sought to topple his administration.

Vice President Rigathi Gachagua revealed that Sh2 billion was squandered during the Azimio first Nairobi protests and encouraged the Azimio leaders to end their demonstrations.

He declared, "We are begging the Azimio leaders to scrap their plans because it is harming the economy".

PHOTO | COURTESY Opposition leader Raila Odinga

Since then, Gachagua and Odinga have rejected requests from clergy members to try and resolve the issues at hand through discussion.

Raila Odinga has promised that he will stage the mother of all protests on Monday and rubbishes his handshake with President William Ruto, saying that he is not interested in a handshake