Highlights: Kenyan President William Ruto and opponent Raila Odinga rubbed shoulders on Saturday, May 13, first at a funeral and then in the stands of a sports competition. They met again at a football match in Nairobi on Sunday. It was the first time they appeared in public at the same event since last August's presidential election. An election still contested by the losing candidate, Raila Odinga, who has organized several demonstrations over the past two months to protest against the government.

Kenya: Ruto and Odinga say they are confident in talks to settle their differences

Kenyan President William Ruto (2nd from right) greets athlete Ferdinand Omanyala (center) with opposition leader Raila Odinga (2nd left) during a sporting event at Kasarani Stadium on May 13, 2023. AFP - YASUYOSHI CHIBA

Text by: RFI Follow

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These are images that have caused a lot of ink to flow this weekend in Kenya. President William Ruto and opponent Raila Odinga rubbed shoulders on Saturday, May 13, first at a funeral and then in the stands of a sports competition. They met again at a football match in Nairobi on Sunday. It was the first time they appeared in public at the same event since last August's presidential election. An election still contested by the losing candidate, Raila Odinga. He has organized several demonstrations over the past two months to protest against the government. Seeing the two men together three times in one weekend has therefore given rise to much speculation in Kenya.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard

The photographs made the rounds on social networks this weekend. Those of William Ruto and Raila Odinga talking during a football match in Nairobi on Sunday. Or the ones showing them laughing together in the stands of a stadium the day before. They had also been seen exchanging a handshake at a funeral. A simple mark of "politeness" according to an analyst, but which has made a lot of talk.

However, the differences are still there. The two men launched interposed speech attacks on Saturday when they took turns speaking at the funeral. Raila Odinga criticised the rising cost of living, accusing William Ruto of overtaxing Kenyans. The president has, in the aftermath, defended his measures. He asked for time for them to prove themselves. And explained to his opponent that he mastered the economy better than he did.

The Kenyan daily The Standard nevertheless described on its front page Sunday as "glimmers of hope" the public appearances of the previous day. Not least because Ruto and Odinga have expressed confidence in bipartisan discussions. A commission of 14 parliamentarians from both sides has just been appointed to settle disputes.

Raila Odinga announced in early May that he was suspending his demonstrations to give this dialogue a chance. While warning that, if the discussions did not succeed, he would return to the streets.

Kenya: Ruto and Odinga say they are confident in talks to settle their differences

Kenya: Ruto and Odinga say they are confident in talks to settle their differences

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