On Tuesday, political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi reacted to a press briefing by Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where Raila proposed a national conversation process similar to the 2008 National Accord, spearheaded by a team drawn from its ranks both in Parliament and outside Bunge.
Ngunyi, known for his controversial political opinions, criticized Raila’s proposal, stating that “Give Raila an INCH he will take a MILE” and asked Deputy President William Ruto if he had a plan or if the plan should be “not an inch MORE: Not an Inch LESS”. He also suggested that Ruto is back to the drawing board.
Give Raila an INCH he will take a MILE. Now he wants the Bipartisan dialogue to be like the Kofi Annan talks of 2008. Dear Ruto: Do you have a PLAN? Or should the plan be "…Not an inch MORE: Not an Inch LESS"? You are back to the DRAWING BOARD My Fren!
— Mutahi Ngunyi (@MutahiNgunyi) April 4, 2023
Ngunyi’s statement suggests that he is skeptical of Raila’s proposal, and that he sees Raila as someone who will push for more than what is reasonable if given an inch.
Speaking during a press meeting on Tuesday, Raila said the bi-partisan talks focusing on a Parliamentary approach will not achieve much.
He also dismissed talks that he is interested in a Handshake or Nusu Mkate.
“We have never talked about the handshake. That is the language that has been coming from the other side. It is them that have been saying these people want Handshake and Nusu Mkate. Take it to Mr Gachagua, I do not want even to shake his hands,” he said.
Raila hinted at talks similar to those held by UN Secretary-General Koffi Anan in 2008 saying it will address several issues they are interested in.
“It is the resolution of this meeting that a purely Parliamentary process will not serve the intended end, our suggestion is to have a conversation at the national level through a process akin to the 2008 National Accord,” the statement reads in part.
Azimio also proposed that a team be drawn from its ranks both in Parliament and outside Bunge and that the cost of living issues should be a top priority.
“To this end, the coalition proposes a team drawn from its rank both in Parliament and outside Bunge, we want it to be a process that are people driven.”
