Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has defended Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga after he declared support for a dialogue between the government and the Kenyan youth weeks after the Finance Bill protests.
In an interview on July 10, Sifuna called out a section of Gen Z’s who were bashing the former prime minister for agreeing to hold talks with President William Ruto noting that not everyone is leaderless.
“Baba (Raila) did not go to speak on behalf of Gen Z. Not everyone is leaderless. In the dialogue, he speaks for his people; the ones he leads,” Senator Sifuna said.
In addition, the lawmaker reminded a section of Gen Zs of their online meeting with the president on X (formerly Twitter) noting that they were not involved.
Similarly, he referred to Raila as a leader and reiterated that not everyone was leaderless as Gen Z had claimed themselves to be.
“We can’t sit as leaders and keep quiet as things happen in the country. They also spoke to the president on X space, did you see Sifuna or Raila? No, so why is it that when Raila calls for dialogue, because he also leads people, he’s a leader, not everyone is leaderless,” he added
Sifuna’s remarks came after a section of Kenyans expressed dissatisfaction with Raila’s move citing that dialogue would not solve the injustices witnessed during the Finance Bill Protests.
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Raila Call for Dialogue
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga gave a way forward on the planned discussions with the youth after anti-government demonstrations.
President Ruto stated that they agreed on a 6-day national dialogue to bring the country together and address issues that are a priority for the people of Kenya.
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He said the forum will consist of 150 participants, 50 more than the number initially announced by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
However, Raila faced criticism from a section of Kenyans who felt that he had betrayed them leading to their dissociation with his leadership.
Protesters expected the opposition leader to support their cause, even as he seeks the government’s backing for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Also Read: Tables Turn on Raila as Gen Zs Write to African Union
Martha Karua Disagrees with Raila
However, NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua differed with Raila, emphasizing the importance of political leaders not diverting the authentic demands for accountability and reforms coming from the youth.
She underscored the necessity of sincere discussions that genuinely address the public’s interests.
“Dialogue can only be meaningful if the participants act in good faith and are motivated by the people’s best interests,” she stated.
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