Rising tensions between Ruto and Odinga, as opposition protest approaches

Rising tensions between Ruto and Odinga as opposition protest approaches

Tension is mounting on the Kenyan political scene. The main opponent called for a large demonstration on Monday to protest against the cost of living and – still – to contest the result of the election last August. As this deadline approaches, his camp and that of President William Ruto engage in a verbal pass of arms.

With our correspondent in Nairobi, Florence Morice

The verbal escalation is such that several religious leaders have called on the Kenyan political class for dialogue and calm. Opponent Raila Odinga accuses his opponents of trying to intimidate him. On Thursday, he ended up threatening Head of State William Ruto with a libel suit after Ruto suggested he was involved in the 1982 coup attempt against Daniel Arap Moi . ” I have been bleached recalls the opponent.

On Tuesday, it was Vice-President Rigathi Gachagua who also ” present » the opponent as « a troublemaker accusing him of disrupting the country for decades. “ It’s time to take care of him. He will leave for good,” then launched the vice-president. Statements perceived as a veiled threat “and judged” inconsiderate by the Raila Odinga camp. Several opposition deputies have asked in response to the Criminal Investigation Department (DCI) to summon the vice-president for questioning.

In this very polarized context, the entire political class is positioning itself for or against the demonstration announced on Monday. Martha Karua, Raila Odinga’s presidential running mate, recalls that protesting is a constitutional right. Seven deputies from the opponent’s coalition, on the contrary, dissociated themselves, calling for favoring the ” cross-party dialogue to confrontation.

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