UPDATE - Kenyan opposition leader puts protests on hold after appeal from president

LEADS WITH PROTESTS BEING CALLED OFF, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, BODY, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga decided Sunday to call off nationwide protests following an appeal from President William Ruto.

"In view of the foregoing, we stand down our demonstrations for Monday, April 3, 2023,” Odinga said

"In accepting the call for dialogue, we ask that all arrests and prosecutions related to our demonstrations be stopped with immediate effect.”

Odinga said that as the opposition, they agree that a balanced parliamentary process for dialogue co-chaired by both sides and backed by experts from outside should proceed.

He added that the committee should be composed with immediate effect with strict deadlines for resolving the crises facing the country.

"Should there be no meaningful engagement or response from Ruto to our counter-offer, we will resort to resuming our demonstrations after one week," Odinga warned.

Ruto in a televised address to the nation on Sunday had asked the opposition to call off the protests, noting that recent political demonstrations have resulted in grave acts of lawlessness, widespread violence, looting and the invasion of private property, causing loss of lives, injuries, property damage and denting the nation's image.

"In these circumstances, and in view of the recent events that led to loss of lives and destruction of property, I urge Hon. Raila Odinga to call off any further demonstrations," he pleaded.

He said the country's economy had been hard hit, with all his measures to attract investors and create opportunities for the youth being derailed by acts of violence, chaos and anarchy.

President Ruto said he is willing to engage with Kenyans from all walks of life, including elected and appointed leaders from across the political divide and the religious fraternity, to make the country better and more prosperous based on the rule of law and the Constitution.

The protests, aimed at forcing Ruto's government to reduce the cost of living, have been ongoing for weeks and resulted in three deaths, including that of a police officer, and dozens of arrests.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had also warned Odinga against holding continuous demonstrations, stating that Monday will be the last day before the government "asserts its authority."