For Opposition leader Raila Odinga, calling for mass action is a cakewalk, many may say.
In his chequered political career, many have seen Raila as a symbol of hope and a voice of the voiceless thus garnering him immense support throughout the country.
His ability to galvanise the protests lies in his charisma and the massive political influence he has continued to consolidate over the years.
In the wake of the 2022 general election, the ODM leader sparked a wave of protests captivating the nation and the international community.
The protests stemmed from his refusal to accept the outcome of the presidential results calling for the opening of the IEBC servers.
He cited irregularities and manipulations and that he had been rigged out.
On August 15, 2022, after a long wait for the final results, IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati emerged and declared President William Ruto as the winner having scored 7,176,141 votes (50.49 per cent) and Raila 6,942,930 (48.85 per cent).
Amidst the growing tension in the country, Raila moved to the Supreme Court and filed a petition to challenge the results.
The court heard the matter and on September 5, a verdict with a majority of the judges in their decisions rejecting it and instead upheld Ruto's victory.
Election observers and the international community would later emerge and describe the elections as "largely peaceful and transparent".
Mass protests
Feeling disgruntled, Raila and other Azimio leaders who had endorsed him for the seat disowned Ruto as the legitimate president.
Raila went ahead and rallied his supporters for nationwide demonstrations that would see protesters killed and scores injured in various parts of the country for participating in the protests that had been declared illegal by security officers.
The mass protests were marked by fervor and determination, with his supporters joining in solidarity.
His actions encouraged a national dialogue on the importance of transparent and accountable electoral processes, pushing for change to safeguard democracy for future generations.
ICC letter
International observers closely monitored the situation and at one point Raila wrote to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to have it open investigations into the political situation in the country.
In a letter to the Dutch-based Court dated April 4, Lawyer Paul Mwangi cited nine issues including targeted attacks on protesters.
It was submitted under Regulation 25 of the Regulation of the Office of the Prosecutor.
The lawyer went ahead to list nine protesters alleged to have been killed by the police and eight local journalists including their contacts whom he said were injured during the protests.
He further included some 20 civilians he claimed had been injured in various parts of the country.
"...IG Koome has contravened the Constitution of Kenya by usurping powers of the Judiciary and pronouncing a ban against any exercise of the rights under Article 37 by members of the Coalition party," Mwangi said.
The letter by Azimio came barely a day after Raila signaled his intentions to continue with the weekly demonstrations which had been suspended on April 2.
Speaking during a public bazaar, Raila claimed the Kenya Kwanza was not committed to talks.
"Mazumgumzo iendelee na maandamano sambamba...dawa ya moto ni moto, kwa hivyo tunaendelea," Raila said.
This came after President Ruto’s side named seven individuals to sit in the bipartisan team for the dialogue process.
Suspension of protests
Raila suspended the demos on April 2, moments after Ruto addressed the nation where he urged him to call it off and give room for talks.
The Opposition chief termed the president's statement as 'important" and a "positive" development.
"We acknowledge Mr Ruto’s olive branch for a dialogue on key issues raised by Azimio La Umoja.
To us, this is a positive development," Raila said.
He added: "I believe that Kenya is today facing its worst crisis in decades out of which we could recover or go the way of other failed states".
In his address, the head of state observed that he had listened to issues raised by the ODM leader and saw it wise to back down on his hard-line stance for the good of the country.
"I have carefully listened to the issues raised by my friend Raila Odinga. In times like these, it is not about who is right or who is wrong. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak but it is also what it takes to sit down and listen," he said.
Bipartisan team
A team comprised of 14 was formed during that period.
Both the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio agreed to name seven members to engage in talks.
Those from the Ruto's side were Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Tharaka MP George Murugara, nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, Kibwezi West MP Mwangi Mutuse, Adan Keynan (Eldas), Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and Taita Taveta woman rep Lydia Haika.
Azimio had ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.
Others were MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David P'Kosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
The joint committee had a time frame of 60 days to complete its mandate.
The talks between the two sides dragged on until July with a back-and-forth dispute and hard-line positions among members from either side over some issues being cited.
At the heart of the dispute were two letters addressed to the IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein and IEBC selection panel Nelson Makanda which the Raila-led camp said their counterparts refused to co-sign.
The letters by Azimio leaders dated May 28, 2023, sought to have the IEBC selection panel suspend the recruitment process for 30 days as the engagement continues.
They further wanted Marjan to provide information on the preservation of electoral materials and the data contained in the election servers used in the August 2022 election.
But, a defiant Murugara who had been picked as the co-chair said he would not be “used to violate the Constitution” as the reason for failing to co-sign the letters.
He claimed the Azimio bipartisan team wanted to enjoin them in “committing a fundamental violation of the constitution.”
It was during this time that Raila threatened to return to the streets after the talks failed accusing the Kenya Kwanza team of not being genuine.
National Dialogue Committee (NADCO)
Various foreign leaders that included former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo and US Senator Chris Coons were forced to intervene.
The two held separate talks with Ruto and Raila.
A National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) was formed with both sides fielding five members each.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, EALA MP Hassan Omar, and Bungoma woman representative Catherine Wambilianga represented Kenya Kwanza.
Azimio was represented by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Nyamira Senator Okong’o Mogeni.
The committee had 60 days to finalize the talks and come up with the report.
The Kenya Kwanza side tabled reconstitution of the IEBC, implementation of two-thirds gender rule, the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund, and the establishment, entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary for discussion.
Azimio on its part listed the cost of living, audit of the 2022 presidential election results, restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC.
It also wanted interference with political parties by the executive discussed.
In the course of the discussions, various stakeholders appeared and submitted their views before the Nadco.
Following the lapse of the period characterized by a push and pull among the two sides, a final report was released on November 25, 2023.
They differed on the push to scrap the housing levy and reduce VAT on fuel from 16pc to 8pc.
It recommended the extension of the presidential election petition period from the current 14 days to 21.
The team also agreed to entrench the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and that of the Prime Cabinet Secretary among other recommendations.