President Uhuru Kenyatta has finally spoken on the question of if he will dialogue with his main challenger and NASA leader Raila Odinga.
Uhuru on Monday said he will only dialogue with Raila after Thursday’s Presidential repeat polls.
He addressed all Mount Kenya FM stations from State House. The interview was also televised across all major stations in the country.
“I can listen to whatever he wants after the elections,” said the President.
But in a voice of reluctance to dialogue with Raila, Uhuru said judging from history, the talks between them could be a mirage because the opposition leader is “selfish”.
He said in the run up to disputed 2007 elections, retired President Mwai Kibaki had steered the country economy to 7 per cent but with violence instigated by Raila, it dropped to zero.
“Before the 2007 elections, President Kibaki had steered the country to a seven per cent digit growth. When he disputed Kibaki’s election and there was violence, our country plunged to zero growth.
“After the talks that brought him into government, he gave Kibaki trouble throughout. Had Kibaki been allowed to continue with his agenda after the 2007 election, I am sure he would have driven the country to a 10 per cent growth,” added Uhuru.
Several quarters have been pushing him to dialogue with Raila to unlock the political stalemate between them.
Among those who have asked Uhuru to dialogue with Raila include former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and the clergy.
Some civil society groups have also made a similar call.
But the President has reiterated he is not interested in any dialogue with Raila.
And if it has to happen, then, it must be after repeat polls.
Raila on the other hand maintains there will be no elections on Thursday. He withdrew from the race citing IEBC’s incapability to conduct free and credible polls.
The opposition boss has expressed willingness to have a sit down with the President.
But, the talks should only be about unlocking the election impasse and not “nusu mkate” agenda.
Insisting the repeat poll will still take place as scheduled on Thursday, he urged the opposition to respect the democratic right of Kenyans to vote.
“We respect the right of those who do not wish to participate in the election,” he said adding they should also respect the wishes of those who want to vote by not interfering with the voting exercise.”