Raila refuses to hold talks with Ruto unless this one condition is met

The political crisis in Kenya is taking a new turn, with opposition leader Raila Odinga demanding the participation of a mediator in any negotiations with President William Ruto. Odinga has said that he does not trust Ruto and that a mediator is necessary to ensure that the talks are fair and productive.

Ruto has not yet responded to Odinga’s demand, but it is possible that he will agree to mediation. If so, the talks could follow the format of the 2007-2008 negotiations that led to the formation of the government of National Unity. In those talks, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan played a key role in mediating a settlement between Odinga and then-President Mwai Kibaki.

It is unclear whether Ruto would be willing to accept Annan or another mediator as a third party. However, if he is serious about resolving the political crisis, he will need to be willing to compromise and work with Odinga.

The involvement of a mediator could help to break the deadlock between Odinga and Ruto and pave the way for a negotiated settlement. However, it is important to note that there is no guarantee that the talks will be successful. Even if the two sides agree to mediation, there is still a risk that they will not be able to reach an agreement.

Only time will tell whether the political crisis in Kenya can be resolved through negotiations. However, the involvement of a mediator is a positive step that could help to increase the chances of success.