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It is reported that hardliners from both the Kenya Kwanza government and the Azimio side have rejected negotiations for a political deal.
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Those from Azimio have stuck to their guns insisting that the protests have gathered momentum among their supporters.
Image: Handout
An East African leader is said to be mediating the political standoff between President William Ruto and Azimio boss Raila Odinga.
It is understood that the head of state has held at least three meetings with the opposition leader in what is seen as a quiet diplomatic approach to brokering a deal.
Raila has called for a three-day marathon of street protests beginning Wednesday to Friday as part of his pushback against President Ruto's administration.
There are fears that the protests could escalate and put the country on the edge, threatening the peace, stability and economy of the region.
Raila has rejected calls to suspend the demonstrations saying Kenyans have a right under the 2010 Constitution to hold protests against authorities.
The government is talking tough and has vowed to crush the protests which the police have declared illegal and disallowed.
With the clock ticking to the start of the protests on Wednesday, it has emerged that there are both diplomatic interventions aimed at stopping the demos.
The Star understands that Raila has held talks with the foreign president in Kisumu and Mombasa but there have been no significant results.
It is reported that hardliners from both the Kenya Kwanza government and the Azimio side have rejected negotiations for a political deal.
Those from Azimio have stuck to their guns insisting that the protests have gathered momentum among their supporters and calling them off would be a political blunder.
The regional leader flew to Mombasa over the weekend for talks with Raila after initial discussions in Kisumu earlier stalled owing to hardline positions.
It was in Mombasa that the talks appeared to make progress but Azimio's demands are said to have been flatly rejected by the Kenya Kwanza side.
On Tuesday, a highly placed politician within the Azimio camp admitted in confidence that the high-profile emissary met Raila at least twice.
He, however, could not confirm the third meeting that could have happened in Nanyuki.
"I am briefed of two meetings that happened in Kisumu and Mombasa. The leader was here and met the boss after speaking directly for some time," the senior honcho told the Star.
According to the official, the emissary was dispatched by some Western countries after the Kenyan government reportedly agreed at initial stages to a ceasefire.
The leader is said to be soft-spoken and a diplomat with good negotiation skills and appeals to both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio camps.
During the 2007 political crisis that followed the disputed presidential election results, former Tanzanian Presidents Jakaya Kikwete and the late Benjamin Mkapa played a key role in the resolution of the stalemate.
Raila, who had disputed the reelection of the late Mwai Kibaki agreed to the formation of a government of National Unity in which he was appointed prime minister until 2012.
The international community is said to be keenly following the developments in Nairobi and hopes that talks would solve the standoff.
Last week, at least nine people were killed as protesters clashed with police while 312 were arrested in connection with the deadly demonstrations.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has already raised concern over the violence surrounding anti-government protests in the country.
Through UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence last Friday, the intergovernmental agency expressed worry over the alleged use of force by police during demonstrations calling for investigations into deaths and injuries during the protests.
“We call for prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries. Those responsible must be held to account. Effective measures to prevent further deaths and injuries must be adopted,” read a statement.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund on Friday also raised concern over the welfare of children in Kenya in light of the recent anti-government protests calling for necessary measures to be undertaken to ensure the safety and protection of children.