Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja disclosed on Sunday, July 16, that President William Ruto was engaged in crisis talks to avert the planned opposition protests. Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Bahati Cathedral, Sakaja confirmed that the President would be holding high-level meetings on Monday and Tuesday to ensure that the protests scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, would not take place.

Sakaja emphasized that he was in constant communication with the Head of State, working together to prevent disruptions to trade in Kenya, particularly in Nairobi. He also hinted that Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was involved in assisting the President in averting the protests.

"Murkomen spoke about something he is privy to. We have Monday and Tuesday, and I know the President has the capability and wisdom and is working for the interest of the country," Sakaja explained.

While urging Raila Odinga to halt the demonstrations, Sakaja expressed his disagreement with politicians calling for police crackdowns on protesters. He mourned the loss of ten lives during the protests and emphasized that even if individuals were on the wrong side, they were not enemies.

The Governor revealed that he was in constant contact with the President, seeking a peaceful resolution to the cycle of protests. Sakaja made a firm commitment to prevent the recruitment of youth to participate in the demonstrations, declaring, "We are ready to do what it takes to protect lives and livelihoods."

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a separate statement, urged the Azimio coalition to utilize the opportunity to voice their grievances through Parliament. He emphasized that the President had given them a chance to engage in parliamentary bipartisan talks, calling on them to reflect on their actions during the two-day window before Wednesday and consider calling off the protests.

As the two-day window approaches, the success of President Ruto's efforts to avert the protests remains to be seen. The ongoing dialogue between Sakaja and the President, along with Murkomen's call for self-reflection, signals a possible shift in the political landscape and a potential resolution to the growing tensions between the opposition and the government.