A Kenyan anti-riot police officer confronts a group of protesters during an anti-government protests in Nairobi. AFP
"Justice must come first before any talks," said Odinga, referring to the weeks of demonstrations against planned tax rises -- a policy President William Ruto shelved after initially peaceful rallies descended into violence with dozens killed after some marchers stormed parliament.
Odinga, 79, who lost out to Ruto in the 2022 presidential election, said there had to be a "national conversation" between different sectors of society.
Such discussions, he said in a post on X, "should come from various sectors including youth, government, religious leaders, health care professionals, lawyers and teachers".
In addition, he demanded "compensation for every victim of police brutality" during the rallies.
Activists led by young Kenyans launched the rallies but the authorities responded by sending in heavily armed police who fired tear gas and water cannon in Nairobi's central business district.
Demonstrators later criticised the "excessive force" deployed by police.
Friday saw Ruto unveil a new partial cabinet to lead a "broad-based" government as he bids to ease the worst crisis of his nearly two years in office.
But the main opposition coalition swiftly branded the cabinet moves as "cosmetic" and insisted it would not join a government of national unity led by Ruto.
Short link: