Editor's Review

"Wakati wa mimi kukutana na Ruto ana kwa ana haijafika.

Azimio la Umoja leader Odinga has stated that he cannot physically meet with President William Ruto until the bi-partisan committee agrees on the way forward. 

Speaking on Tuesday, May 9 during an interview with digital media houses, Raila accused the Kenya Kwanza bi-partisan team of delaying the negotiations. 

“Shida sio hata bwana Ruto shida ni team ya Kenya Kwanza, yeye ni mmoja wao tu. Hakuna haja ya kukutana na bwana Ruto kama team yake haitafanya yale tunataka. Ndio maana tunasema tunataka tuwe na mazungumzo kwanza ile watu wakubaliane. Hivo ndio itakua rahisi mimi kuzungumza na Ruto,” said Raila.

The former Prime Minister gave an example of the 2007 post-election negotiations where he formed a team that negotiated with late President Mwai Kibaki’s team and reached an agreement to share power.

“Wakati tulikua na mzozo 2007, tulikua na jopokazi, Kibaki aliteua watu wanne na mimi nikateua wanne wakaketi chini na Kofi Annan wakaongea mpaka wakakubaliana.

"Walipokubaliana mimi na Kibaki tuliketi chini pamoja na Benjamin Mukapa, na Jakaya Kikwete na maneno ikaisha. Kwa hivo wakati wa mimi kukutana na Ruto ana kwa ana haijafika itakuja baadaye,” Raila added.

File image of Raila and Kalonzo

The ODM leader on Monday gave the Kenya Kwanza team a 2-day ultimatum to resume bipartisan talks or he would cancel the negotiations and implore other options.

“The talks must start in earnest by Wednesday. If their delegation is not ready by then, we will treat that gentleman’s agreement as cancelled, and implore other options available to us,” said Raila.