Azimio leader Raila Odinga has made what can be interpreted as an about-turn on his Sunday declaration.
Soon after President William Ruto urged him to call off demonstrations, the former Prime Minister agreed to give a bipartisan parliamentary process a chance.
Barely 2 days later, he is back with more demands.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Raila reiterated that he is not interested in a handshake, but made a rather curious admission.
He is now stating that the parliamentary process will not be enough to address his demands, and that outside parties should be involved in a process akin to the 2008 National Accord.
That was the process chaired by former AU Secretary General Koffi Annan after the disputed election, whose primary objective was to bring Raila into government as Prime Minister, alongside his selection of cabinet ministers.
While not expressly stating that’s his desire, it was not lost on Kenyans who read between the lines.
Here’s the full statement.
And some reactions from Kenyan.
Raila wants negotiation with a replica of the national accord and reconciliation act of 2008 ..in a nutshell Raila wants "nusu mkate" or drive this country into a big trench. This man man Raila .. weuh.
Nhif, DJ brown, Rutto, Azimio, museveni, ksh , pic.twitter.com/dS23qaVDLu— Baba Daniela (@SammyKibet79) April 4, 2023
Raila Odinga has now changed tactics ,he wants a 2008 like form of government
No grand coalition government
— HB Tirkole_63. (@tirkole) April 4, 2023
Now, Raila Odinga wants power sharing. On the 28th of February 2008, the National Accord was about sharing the government between him and President Kibaki. He wants a repeat?
Just RETIRE!
— 🅜🅤🅚🅘🅛🅔 (@dansonmukile) April 4, 2023
2008 National Accord was a power-sharing agreement between Mwai Kibaki (RIP) and Raila Odinga. I hope Raila is not asking for mkate nusu.
— Ike Ojuku (@IkeOjuku) April 4, 2023
… a process akin to the 2008 National Accord means Nusu Mkate IMO. Raila Odinga wants again Power through the back door. This should be resisted at all cost! pic.twitter.com/BEosZMs07A
— Fadhil Abdi Bare (@Fadhilow) April 4, 2023
I told them raila want NUSU MKATE they called me abusive, SO! pic.twitter.com/rywX1Rw8Li
— Eliud (@Eliud58381755) April 4, 2023
Raila anatafuta nusu mkate na Ruto amesema hakuna kitu kama hio, sasa azimio wajitayarishe kurudi maandamano pic.twitter.com/nNPnoD9n5U
— Michael Kairu (@MichaelKairu5) April 4, 2023
When Raila mentions a process akin to the Koffi Annan led talks, we have to be reminded that the reasons prior to the talks was violence and blooshed. The talks were to calm tension and create room for nusu mkate. Asking for the same process and claiming no handshake???? Mssm.
— Mark Kyalo (@markkyalo12) April 4, 2023
This is where the juice is at. Raila should just save us time and say he needs a nusu mkate government na maisha yaendelee. President Ruto a few hours ago just said 'no handshake'. This is no surprise now. pic.twitter.com/ChsUSen4kn
— Brian Murimi 𝕏 (@IBrianMurimi) April 4, 2023
2008 National Accord was a power-sharing agreement between Mwai Kibaki (RIP) and Raila Odinga. I hope Raila is not asking for mkate nusu.
— Ike Ojuku (@IkeOjuku) April 4, 2023
We want this process to be akin to the process that was led by Kofi Annan… We want it to be a people-driven process – Raila Odinga
Conman wants nusu-mkate— Dr. Chemuruok Jr. (@chemuruokjr) April 4, 2023
