The Orange Democratic Movement has issued a list of demands that President William Ruto must meet prior to the national dialogue.
Ruto and Raila have announced a six-day national dialogue as part of the National Multi-Sectoral Forum, which will take place next week.
However, the party now wants the President to meet their demands before they can hold the dialogue.
While speaking to the press on Friday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna stated that Kenyans are still dissatisfied with the government.
The President fired his entire cabinet on Thursday, except for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
“For us to have this National conversation, we call on the government to take certain immediate steps to create the necessary environment.
The decision to fire his cabinet was a good start in our view,” Sifuna said.
“But the feeling across the country is that there still exists an atmosphere of fear that makes it impossible for people to speak freely.”
The ODM wants Ruto to immediately fire the Inspector General of Police and the Nairobi Police Commander.
They also want the President to apprehend all police officers involved in the killings of innocent Kenyans during peaceful protests since last year.
“We call for a national amnesty for all persons arrested or charged in connection with protests, and compensation for all victims of police brutality. Time is of the essence, fellow countrymen.”
Sifuna stated that the ODM Central Management Committee met on Friday to discuss current national affairs.
ODM stated that they are ready to assist the country in developing measures that will restore long-term peace and stability.
The party stated that they are prepared to address long-standing issues such as unemployment, the never-ending pursuit of justice and equality, combating corruption and negative ethnicity in national life, and instilling a tradition of meritocracy in public office appointments, among others.
“This conversation in our view must come ahead of other conversations on the structure of our national governance going forward,” Sifuna said.
“As a party, ODM has never shied away from stepping up and having difficult conversations whenever the destiny of our nation is at stake. Indeed it is said that it is in times of crisis that leadership emerges.”
According to ODM, the emerging issues and the urgent need to address them do not involve rescuing the Kenya Kwanza regime.
Sifuna stated that the Nation is larger than and distinct from any of the leaders.
“We see this as a chance to rescue our nation and pull it back from the precipice,” stated Sifuna.
“We, therefore, welcome these developments in the hope that they will mark the beginning of honest and earnest efforts to address the myriad issues expressed by disappointed and angry youths and a huge segment of the Kenyan population.”
The ODM SG also stated that they will engage with the country without fear.
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