RAILA CALLS FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE YOUTH
Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition, has called for an end to countrywide rallies against the government and highlighted the need for effective leadership to solve the key problems and move Kenya ahead. The protests, which were mainly organized by the younger members of the so-called Generation Z, became active when the Finance Bill of 2024, which sought to expand tax rates, came out and stirred up indignation in the public of the country. The President, William Ruto, had to retire the bill during the elevation of the protests.
Odinga, in his turn, was addressing the opening of a conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, where he demanded an inclusive dialogue to give citizens a proper and peaceful way to express their anger about the government. He emphasized the significance of dealing with the structural issues such as unemployment, corruption, and gender discrimination by engaging all citizens in the whole country.
To me, the losses that occurred in the course of the protests are the most relevant. Odinga was adamant that prompt interventions should be made and advocacy should be maintained through dialogue to prevent future deaths. He admitted the milestone that recent drafting efforts have crossed, especially the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Amendment Bill of 2024, which was endorsed by President Ruto, and is one of the steps recommended by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Odinga elaborated on the ability of the NADCO report to serve as an inclusive solution to address the wide range of youth’s grievances on the condition that the program is fully carried out. He re-emphasized that it is necessary the IEBC internal differences are resolved to restore the public’s trust and guarantee credible election processes.
Looking back at some of the recent electoral disputes, Odinga decried the fact that the IEBC that presided over the elections in 2022 was characterized by internal divisions, which he described as a national disgrace that took away the confidence of the people that voted. He was the one speaking on behalf of the people, who are expecting qualified members to help in bringing the commission back to the unity and respect it once had.
In his final words Raila Odinga stressed national unity and quality leaders who can navigate the inevitable challenges that Kenya will face in the future. He declared that productive dialogue and adequate governance are indispensable to attaining the development and peaceful coexistence of the countr.
