How DPP Haji brokered Ruto-Raila peace deal
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DPP Haji payed a key role in brokering Ruto-Raila peace deal that put to halt Azimio weekly demonstrations
DPP Haji payed a key role in brokering Ruto-Raila peace deal that put to halt Azimio weekly demonstrations.
A truce between President William Ruto and his adversary, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, was mediated by Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji, according to information released by former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya on Friday, April 14.
The close ally of Raila claims that Haji led a group representing the Ruto administration in negotiations with the Azimio side in an effort to find common ground before the protests were suspended.
Oparanya indicated that Haji arrived with five leaders from the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Given the delicate nature of the situation, the former governor refrained from disclosing the names of the other participants.
He simply disclosed the DPP’s identify in order to corroborate media rumors.
On the other hand, he noted that the over 6-hour meeting started on the morning of Sunday, April 2 and went on until evening, when major concerns of both sides were addressed.
After Ruto-Raila peace deal was brokered, the president called for a State of the Nation address, with Raila holding the same hours later.
“He (Haji) is the one who initiated it. You got that information earlier, so I could not hide it. That very day – on Sunday, April 2, when the announcement was made, the teams sat from the morning.
“Later on, there are those who joined from the Kenya Kwanza side and there are also others who joined from our side,” he stated.
On the other hand, he noted that the major issue raised by the Raila – led faction was on the cases that had been opened against Azimio leaders and protesters – which they wanted to be dropped.
According to Oparanya, DPP dropped the cases a day after the meeting, a sign of good faith from the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“It wasn’t a concern because you do not know the relationship between whoever was sent (Haji) and the President. Maybe being a civil servant it was also in good faith,” he stated.
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With the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions being an independent agency stipulated by the Constitution, the DPP may be pressured to explain why he represented government interests.
Prior to the talks, DPP Haji had been accused of bias and favouritism, having dropped graft cases of several government appointees.
Meanwhile, Oparanya’s claims were supported by Raila’s sentiments on April 4 when he indicated that Ruto sent emissaries to his team and denied reports that he personally met Ruto.
“There have been allegations that I met Ruto in the Mara. Nothing can be further from the truth. The request came from the other side, and our people responded and gave conditions,” Raila stated.
Notably, Haji denied the allegations by Oparanya to journalists and is yet to speak publicly on the matter.
“I do not know what you are talking about,” the DPP responded to NTV.
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