As promised, Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has announced that he will be resuming his long-held protests on a date to be announced after Ramadan ends next week Thursday.
Odinga has led protests since Kenya’s 2022 election declared William Ruto, who is now President of Kenya, as the winner. He held consistent protests two days a week, which have killed four people over the course of several months. Odinga maintains that the election was fraudulent, despite the supreme court of Kenya declaring Ruto’s victory legitimate.
Recently on April 2nd President Ruto reached out to Odinga in order to hold parliamentary talks, and to cease protests. Odinga agreed and temporarily called off protests, but stated should the talks not bear fruit, he would resume protests. Though it appears they have not borne the fruit he wanted, he has said he will still engage in talks, though opposition has accused the government of not being serious about them.
Odinga has ran for President 5 times, each time losing the election. With each loss has followed claims of electoral fraud and, consequently, protests. Protests in the past, largely headed by Odinga, have gripped Kenya in political violence. Though the present protests are far less extreme in comparison, international observers have urged for restraint and further dialogue.
