William Ruto Offers To Meet Raila Odinga For Talks: "My Friend"

• A political truce between President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga could be a possibility in the coming days
• Ruto said on Tuesday he is willing to engage Raila in one-on-one talks, this pointing to a possible, but initially unforeseen armistice
• The duo has been rivals for a very long while, the 2022 presidential vote being the climax of their political duel

Nairobi - President William Ruto has made overtures to his longtime political rival Raila Odinga.

In a tweet sent on Tuesday, July 25 evening, Ruto expressed his willingness to engage the longstanding opposition leader in face-to-face talks at the latter's convenience.

Ruto to Raila: Come meet me

The president stated the engagement would happen upon his return from Tanzania, where he is on an official visit.

Ruto did not divulge the contents and the terms with which he would engage Raila.

"My friend Raila Odinga, I am off to Tanzania for a human capital meeting to harmonise the expansion of employment opportunities in our continent. I'm back tomorrow evening, and as you have always known, I am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience," he said.

Ruto's olive branch to his long-lived political nemesis came a day after the latter suspended the anti-government protests he had sanctioned across the country.

Raila, who had announced that the mass action protests would resume on Wednesday, July 25, said the plan had been shifted to solidarity meetings and vigils to honour those whose lives were ended during the previous protests.

The opposition luminaries said they would not go to the streets as planned but would instead hold solidarity parades for the victims of police brutality across the country.

"Azimio has made the decision that on Wednesday, rather than go to the streets for a peaceful demonstration as earlier announced, we will hold solidarity parades and vigil for victims of police brutality in various locations in all parts of the country," partly read Raila's statement.

Ruto: There will be no handshake government

Previously, Ruto had been categorical that he would not engage Raila to negotiate for any power-sharing arrangement.

He believes such arrangements plunged the country to its current "mess", referencing his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, who allowed Raila into the second phase of his administration after their historic "handshake".

On his part, Raila has consistently stated that the fuss he has been making with his mass action protests has been to agitate for lowering the cost of living, dismissing the assertion that he is seeking entry into the government.

Post-election rivalry

The one-time prime minister last year disputed Ruto's assumption of the presidency, labelling him an illegitimate president.

According to Raila, Ruto was rigged into office by the elections management body then under Wafula Chebukati.

Ruto was declared the winner of the 2022 presidential vote after garnering over 7.1 million votes, flooring Raila who trailed in second place with upward of 6.9 million votes.

His effort to challenge Ruto's win in the Supreme Court proved futile after all.

This was after the jury, stewarded by Chief Justice Martha Koome, threw out the petition, upholding the president's victory.

That would be Raila's fifth failed attempt at the presidency after the others in 2017, 2013, 2007, and 1997.