Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga has threatened to resume anti-government protests if President William Ruto’s administration fails to address his concerns.

Mr Odinga on Monday suspended protests and agreed to hold talks with President Ruto.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said President Ruto’s statement on Sunday, when he urged the former premier to call off the nationwide anti-government protests, did not capture demands made by the opposition.

President Ruto called for a bi-partisan engagement in parliament on the reconstitution of the electoral commission but did not touch on how his government intends to address the country’s high cost of living.

Mr Odinga has demanded immediate steps by the government to lower the cost of living and President Ruto to expand their talks beyond parliament.

Raila calls off anti-government protests, but with a caveat
“We assure our people and Kenyans that our eyes are firmly on the ball, and reiterate that we shall go back to the people at the earliest sign of lack of seriousness by the other side,” Mr Odinga said.

He said a parliamentary process may not address their concerns and proposes the formation of a team akin to the 2008 National Accord, which was brokered by the then UN chief Koffi Annan.

“We assure our people and Kenyans that our eyes are firmly on the ball, and reiterate that we shall go back to the people at the earliest sign of lack of seriousness by the other side,” Mr Odinga said.

The opposition chief also claimed there were attempts to tamper with the electoral servers, which he demands to be forensically audited.

Speaking in Rwanda on Tuesday, President Ruto ruled out the possibility of any agreement that would co-opt the opposition into his government.

Mr Odinga had called for protests twice a week after rejecting the outcome of last year’s election and criticising the government’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis.

There were several clashes between police and young demonstrators.