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President William Ruto Tuesday announced a six-day multi-sectoral dialogue set to begin on Monday, July 15, 2024. The announcement was made following consultations with Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leadership, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
President Ruto revealed that the National Multisectoral Forum aims to address issues raised during recent protests and will include 150 participants. Among these, 50 will be youth, and 100 will be drawn from religious institutions, civil society, professional organizations, and political parties. Participants will bear their own costs, adhering to the government’s austerity policy.
The announcement was made at a press briefing at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, during the signing of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill into law. The President urged stakeholders to submit their representatives by Friday, emphasizing the forum’s role in uniting the country to focus on priority issues.
“We have had consultations and agreed that to bring the country together and focus on priority issues, we will proceed with the multisectoral forum,” President Ruto stated. He invited political parties and other stakeholders to collaborate with the government to forge a new path for Kenya.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga echoed the President’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of dialogue. “We have agreed to give the people an opportunity to be heard and to articulate their grievances so that a lasting solution can be found,” Odinga said.
Key leaders present at the announcement included Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Speakers Moses Wetangula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate), Attorney-General Justin Muturi, Majority Leaders Kimani Ichung’wah (National Assembly) and Aaron Cheruiyot (Senate), Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and ODM deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho.
Earlier, President Ruto highlighted the IEBC (Amendment) Bill as a key recommendation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, aimed at reconstituting the electoral commission. He stressed the importance of professionalism and integrity in the new IEBC team, which will include accounting and information technology experts.
Gachagua called on Kenyans to embrace dialogue and reject violence, while Ichung’wah assured that remaining bills from the NADCO report would be expedited. Odinga noted that resolving the IEBC issue is crucial for the country’s stability.
However, not all reactions were positive. NARC-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua dismissed the proposed dialogue, labeling it a “trap” that could be exploited by the political class. “I agree with those who say Action Now on the clear and attainable demands of the GenZ to enhance accountability and make the state work for the masses rather than for a handful of elites,” Karua stated.
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa also rejected participation in the dialogue conference. “I am not boarding!” Wamalwa declared on his X account, moments after the President’s announcement.
Miguna Miguna, a vocal critic, expressed his disapproval on X, describing the dialogue as misguided and stressing that the current revolution is “leaderless, tribeless, and uncontrollable.”
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