A move by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to support President William Ruto‘s calls for a dialogue continues to elicit mixed reactions.
On July 12, a section of orange party leaders maintained that Odinga almost lost his life fighting for the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission – IEBC.
According to the officials, the opposition chief has every right to be part of the journey to put together a new electoral body.
While speaking to the media, Siaya Orange Democratic movement (ODM) party leaders revealed that The IEBC Bill was a brainchild of Odinga.
In addition, the party leaders noted that the process started in 2023, leading to protests where dozens of young people lives were lost.
“IEBC bill is a product of protest led by Raila last year in which he almost lost his life, and dozens of young people’s lives were lost,” stated the party leaders.
Raila ‘s Fight for IEBC Bill
Likewise, they hailed the opposition leader saying that he had put aside his own interests and those of his party and agreed to have dialogue talks with the government.
According to them the dialogue talks are going to save the country from the current leadership crisis.
“Agreeing to stand with the opposing team demonstrated an understanding that Kenya is at Crossroad and soon we may be past the crossroads to the precipice once again,” they explained.
In addition, they attributed the revolutionary dialogue talks to the Gen Zs protests which have pressured Ruto to take drastic measures including the signing of the IEBC bill and the dissolution of the cabinet.
Consequently, the leaders revealed that the multi-sectoral engagement forum is on and urged the youth to submit the names of their representatives.
National Dialogue Talks
Ruto stated that they agreed to bring the country together to address issues of priority for the people of Kenya.
Further the Ruto-Raila dialogue talks sparked reactions among the Gen Z as the expressed their disappointment in opposition leader.
Consequently, Gen Zs wrote to the African Union condemning his bid for the AU chairmanship.
“It is imperative that the African Union is led by an individual who genuinely champions the interests of all Africans, particularly the youth,” they stated.
Also Read: Kalonzo Faces Ruto, Gives Him 3 Demands
Kalonzo Demands
In the same event, wiper party Leader and Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka issued three demands to the President regarding the anti-government protests.
Among other demands, Kalonzo asked Ruto to Fire the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.
“If we are not careful all of us will be thrown out by the Gen Z because they say they have come of age… you say we are leaders of tomorrow, but we are leaders of now. We can’t wish them away,” he said.
Kalonzo added: “Order IG Japeth Koome to resign and take responsibility for the deaths of the 42 young Kenyans who lost their lives because they were exercising their constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, demonstrate and picket. Mr President, the Army should be ordered off our streets and sent back to the barracks.”
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