Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga is facing backlash from youth over his proposal to engage in dialogue addressing issues raised by Gen Z during the recent anti-government protests.
On Tuesday, during the signing of the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2024, at KICC, President William Ruto announced a six-day national dialogue forum starting on July 15, 2024, a move supported by Odinga.
“I am happy to confirm that we have had consultations and have agreed that a dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis that we are facing today in our country.” Odinga said.
The Azimio leader’s willingness to participate in the dialogue has drawn public backlash, with young people accusing him of ‘siding with their oppressors.’
In a letter titled ‘Agwambo Kaa Home’ addressed to Odinga by Gen Z on Tuesday, the youths expressed their frustrations with Odinga’s decision.
“We will not allow you to hijack our movement to satisfy your political greed. You do not speak for us and today you have shown that you stand with the thieves and killers. We will not be silenced,” the letter stated.
The Gen Z also took to social media to express their disdain for the party leader.
“Raila Odinga is the biggest enemy of the Gen-Z movement. He has been worried all along because it’s now clear that Kenyans can unite without him, putting his bargaining power at risk.” A netizen said on X.
The youth dismissed all attempts of dialogues saying that if there would be any talk it should be between Raila and Ruto to discuss their affairs.
“The dialogue is between two individuals William Ruto and Raila Odinga. We refused to be controlled by selfish politicians who only value their stomachs.” Cornelius Ronoo wrote on his X platform.
Others said “neither Ruto or Raila speaks on our behalf. We are partyless We are tribeless and most importantly we are leaderless.”
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Not only did this affect his rapport with the youth but also stirred up woes within his party. Azimio deputy party leader, Martha Karua termed Tuesday’s event a trap aimed at hijacking the Gen Z movement.
“This is a trap period. Let’s be careful as the political class lest we hijack the genuine clamour for accountability and reforms by the GenZ.” Karua tweeted.
“Dialogue can only be meaningful if the players have good faith and are guided by the best interests of the people,” she added.
The Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, also tweeted, “I am not boarding!” while Odinga’s son Raila Odinga Junior also wished to be separated from his father’s actions by tweeting “Everybody is an individual please! Even people with the same exact names.”
Jubilee party secretary general Jeremiah Kioni also dismissed any attempts of having a dialogue stating that, “The Waki report, the Ndungu report, TJRC report, BBI report, the NADCO report, all these were done under “Dialogues”…The writing is on the wall! Implement the Constitution!”
Kioni further stated that ‘guardians’ of Kenya wield power to strategically deploy the political class like pawns, engaging them in different actions disguised as necessary measures in the name dialogues and reports that push the boundaries of acceptable violence and political grandstanding.
“When these actions push too far, the political class is compelled to intervene, ostensibly rescuing the state from its own people and thereby avoiding what appears to be a precipice but is in reality a recurring political crisis,” he added.
The move by President Ruto to have dialogues with Gen Z and millennials has elicited mixed reactions from the public who oppose wasting their actions on ‘unnecessary’ dialogues.
“For the past few weeks we have fought for our rights as Kenyans online and in the streets. Dozens of Kenyans have been abducted, tortured and killed. This was not in vain. We will not dialogue with our oppressors. We want change and we want it NOW,” the Gen Z said.
– By Barbara Owano and Wanjiku Hildah
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