By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Opposition party in Kenya on Monday threatened to resume protests arising from the increasing cost of living and alleged election fraud, accusing the government of lack of commitment to talks.
Veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga had called for a temporary cessation of the nationwide demonstrations in early April.
This came after an appeal from President William Ruto, who agreed to hold talks and to reform the election commission, to meet one of the demands of the opposition.
Thousands of opposition supporters had taken to the streets in three marches which were marred by violent clashes between protesters and police.
Last week, Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja party had hinted that if visible progress is not recorded in talks with government, protests would resume after Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, which concluded on Friday.
“Today we have come to the conclusion that as we had feared, the commitment is lacking on the part of Kenya Kwanza,” Azimio said in a statement on Monday, referring to Ruto’s ruling Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) party.
On Sunday, Ruto condemned Odinga’s threats to resume protests and asked the opposition party to give him time to turn around the economy.
The protesters have accused Ruto of mismanagement, while his supporters have accused Odinga of using anger over rising prices, a global phenomenon, to press for political concessions and a possible role in government.
The government has also insisted last year’s national elections were fair.
Azimio said it remained committed to dialogue, but it accused the government of failing to bring down the cost of flour, fuel, electricity and school fees and objected to the make-up of Kenya ruling party, the Kwanza’s negotiating team.
The next protest on May 2 would be confined to the capital Nairobi, Azimio said.
