Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has indicated that he is ready for another round of anti-government demos if talks fail.

In a statement, Babu said that he had gotten a ‘solution’ for tear gas, insinuating protective gas masks.

“This talks must not fail. My supporters and myself are more than ready for round two. We have a permanent solution for teargas for all our supporters, containers already arrived and kept safely. Meanwhile, training continues (sic),” he stated.

This comes moments after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji  withdrew cases against six political leaders who were charged for leading the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition demos.

The prosecutor made the application to have the six set free from the charges to enable “peace between the accused persons and the state.”

The six include Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Kilifi South MP Richard Chonga, Malindi MP Amina Laura Mnyazi, George Yogo Obure and Esther Oromi. 

Raila calls off demos

Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday called off the bi-weekly demos to allow engagement with the State on the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The move follows President William Ruto’s proposal for consideration of a bi-partisan parliamentary engagement to address Raila’s concerns regarding the recruitment of new IEBC commissioners.

Speaking to the press on Sunday evening, Raila welcomed Ruto’s statement, terming it a positive development.

“We acknowledge Mr Ruto’s olive branch for a dialogue on the key issues raised by Azimio La Umoja.  To us, this a positive development,” Raila stated.

The President, however, brushed off Azimio’s claims on the Kenya Kwanza administration’s legitimacy, saying the matter was settled by the Supreme Court in September last year.

“The Supreme Court of Kenya heard and determined with finality, the 2022 Presidential election dispute and ruled on the petitions that were filed by the aggrieved contestants and their supporters,” Ruto reacted to Raila’s claims that his victory was stolen.

Raila, who accuses the IEBC of denying him victory in the last presidential election, had expressed his reservations over the recently passed the IEBC (Amendment) Bill 2022 that altered the first schedule of the parent Act, to change the composition of the selection panel that oversees the filling of vacancies at the commission.