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Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga Wednesday recognized significant opposition from Kenyans regarding his recent agreement with President William Ruto to engage in a dialogue. Odinga, communicating via X, revealed that feedback from the public strongly indicates a rejection of any form of reconciliation akin to the previous “handshake” agreements. “I have been told by these leaders that you do not want a handshake,” Odinga conveyed, referring to his discussions with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Migori Senator Eddie Oketch, and Senator Crystal Asige.
This acknowledgment came shortly after Odinga announced a planned six-day multi-sectorial forum aimed at addressing Kenya’s ongoing crises, starting from Monday, July 15. The initiative follows recent anti-taxation protests primarily driven by Generation Z. “I am pleased to confirm that after consultations, we have agreed that dialogue is the way forward to resolve the current crisis,” said Odinga.
However, Odinga’s approach has not been well-received by the Kenyan youth, particularly Generation Z, who accuse him of prioritizing personal gain over genuine national interests. Martha Karua, Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 General Elections, criticized the move as “a trap” that could impede substantive discussions necessary for addressing the demands of younger generations. “Action Now on the clear and attainable demands of Gen Z is necessary to enhance accountability and make the state work for the masses, not just a handful of elites,” Karua stated on X.
The backlash extended online, with Odinga’s biological son distancing himself from his father’s stance, emphasizing individual perspectives even among family members. Furthermore, Kenyan social media users expressed skepticism about Odinga’s representation of youth interests, arguing that past dialogues under his leadership have failed.
Amid the controversy, personal details about Odinga were leaked online, and manipulated images of him wearing a UDA t-shirt circulated widely as a form of ridicule. X user 5peopleke exemplified the sentiment, stating, “Raila, as you go ahead and dialogue, kindly don’t involve us. Discuss your private matters. You don’t speak on our behalf.” Another user, Cornelius Ronoh, echoed this, rejecting the notion that the dialogue merely serves the interests of the politicians involved: “The dialogue is between two individuals; William Ruto and Raila Odinga. We refuse to be controlled by selfish politicians who only value their stomachs. Gen Zs and Millennials are now taking the bull by the horns. Hatupangwingwi. They will not believe!”
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