Jubilee Secretary General, Jeremiah Kioni, sheds light on the widening divide between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga following the conclusion of King Charles III's visit to Kenya.
Kioni alleges that the opposition discerned a well-orchestrated government plan to suppress their influence, presenting a façade of national unity. Despite the apparent camaraderie between Raila and Ruto during King Charles' State Banquet, Kioni contends that the government leveraged the visit as a public relations tactic while failing to address opposition demands, particularly related to the cost of living.
The Africa Climate Summit at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre further showcased a united front, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua welcoming Raila as a key guest among over 17 heads of state. Kioni claims that these events were orchestrated to convey an image of stability and legitimacy for Kenya's leadership.
Kioni asserts that Ruto engaged in bipartisan talks led by the National Dialogue Committee to manage the opposition's influence in anticipation of international tours by prominent leaders. However, Kioni contends that the talks, headed by Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung'wah, were merely a diversion, allowing the government to allegedly misappropriate funds during the three months of dialogue.
The government, according to Kioni, engaged in controversial dealings, including the Saudi oil deal and the Ksh6 billion edible oil scandals under the Ministries of Energy and Trade.
Gachagua, echoing Kioni's sentiments from August 2023, asserted that Raila was negotiating with Ruto through backdoor channels, while the bipartisan talks were intentionally fruitless. He claimed that Raila sought a deal in Mombasa, sidelining Kalonzo.
Kioni emphasizes the opposition's primary concern – addressing the cost of living. He criticizes the government for disregarding this issue and asserts that the talks were a diversionary tactic to hinder opposition efforts to hold the government accountable.
Despite initial hints at organizing protests, the opposition, including Martha Karua and Raila, opted to await the outcome of the talks. Kioni reveals that plans for protests were abandoned due to perceived risks and the potential human toll.
In a recent development, Raila accused Ruto of using the government-to-government oil deal to facilitate local companies in evading a 30% corporate tax. Ruto refuted these claims, maintaining the legitimacy of the deal and emphasizing his administration's commitment to anti-graft efforts. The exchange marks a new chapter in the ongoing rift between Raila and Ruto since the 2022 General Election.
