On Tuesday 9th July 2024,The president Hon William Ruto and Azimio Coalition party leader agreed to commence a six-day multi-sectorial forum which is set to begin on Monday, July 15, and end on Saturday to foster national dialogue and seek lasting solutions to Kenya’s pressing issues following the Gen Z-driven anti-taxation protests.
Few moments after the public announcement, Kenyan youths took to online to question the opposition leader Raila Odinga in what capacity he would be taking part in the talks as saying they are partyless and leaderless.
Odinga’s 2022 General Election running mate Martha Karua termed the move “a trap”, adding that it will hinder the existence of meaningful talks to iron out the demands for Gen Zs.
However in an interview today with Standard,the Secretary General of the opposition party Hon Sifuna has said that Raila will ñot represent the Gen Z in the dialogue but the Azimio party. “Raila is not going to represent Gen Z. Gen Z have said they are leaderless and Raila is not their leader. But there are people Baba (Raila) leads. Not everyone is leaderless and partyless. I have a party and I am the Secretary General of that party (ODM),” Sifuna said.
However there are speculations that Raila seeks for formation of a government of national unity between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja (handshake)and share almost equal leadership role (nusu mkate)
