Kenya's Odinga rules out talks over protests without mediator

NAIROBI - Opposition leader Raila Odinga told AFP Wednesday that he would not hold talks with President William Ruto without a third-party mediator after months of anti-government protests.

Since Odinga urged Kenyans to take to the streets in March, his Azimio alliance has held nine days of protests against the government, with the demonstrations sometimes spiralling into looting and deadly clashes with police.

The unrest has sparked alarm among Kenyans and the international community, which has urged the two sides to negotiate an end to the crisis.

Late Tuesday, Ruto expressed his willingness to meet Odinga in a social media post addressing the opposition leader.

"As you have always known, am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience," Ruto posted on Twitter, which is being rebranded as 'X'.

But Odinga told AFP on Wednesday that he would not meet Ruto unless a third-party mediator was present.

"He is not somebody you can trust, he keeps changing words that is why I insist they must be a mediator between us," he said.

"I am ready to talk if there is a mediator between us."

Ruto has never publicly discussed the possibility of third-party mediation.

Odinga called off demonstrations in April and May after Ruto agreed to dialogue, but the talks broke down, with several demonstrations held this month.

The veteran politician spoke to AFP after visiting two hospitals in Nairobi to meet injured protesters.

Accompanied by around two dozen opposition leaders and at least a hundred supporters, he later paid tribute to slain protesters, lighting candles and offering white roses "to the memory of the departed."