Raila's dialogue calls hit a snag as Azimio members demand halt to Ruto talks

Azimio La Umoja members have urged their leader Raila Odinga to halt his push for dialogue between President William Ruto and the GenZ insisting the Head of State should face his challenges alone.

The proposed dialogue, occurring amidst heightened political tension, has encountered scepticism even within Raila's inner circle.

The Azimio party leader has been at the forefront urging the youths to engage in dialogue to address the issues affecting the country.

Speaking at a gathering in Kakamega County on Saturday, Raila reaffirmed his commitment to the national dialogue initiative, dismissing claims that it serves political agendas rather than addressing national issues.

He emphasised that the dialogue aims to find solutions to pressing issues affecting Kenya, and serves as a platform for the people's voice rather than a partisan negotiation for political positions.

"We agreed that we can't move on until we have a national conversation. This is a people's dialogue and not one between me and Ruto. We are not going to seek political positions, but good governance. I am beyond begging for positions," he said.

However, his sentiments did not sit well with various leaders who had accompanied him with some warning that it might lead to possible implications on future governance and electoral processes.

Harmful option

Siaya Governor James Orengo said the proposed national dialogue is a harmful option for not just their leader, Raila, but the entire Azimio la Umoja coalition.

While highlighting the youth's bold actions, including storming Parliament and the Supreme Court, and forcing the removal of Cabinet Secretaries, he said those are the signs of the GenZ's determination, which he believes won't cease until they reach State House.

"Let us think about our children first, before we start talking. Dialogue with President Ruto is definitely a poisoned chalice, we know where Kenyans want him to go and that is home. Talking to Ruto is to ensure his survival until 2027 and it is only him who will gain. But with GenZ, we don't have to wait until the next election," Orengo said.

The Kenyan youth have made their demands very clear. They are speaking for the Kenya they want; a government that is accountable to its citizens. https://t.co/xQQtScoTSy pic.twitter.com/XUog9M9m5J

— James Orengo (@orengo_james) July 13, 2024

Among those who had also accompanied Raila included Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, DAP- Kenya's Eugene Wamalwa, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and several MPs.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka emphasised that any dialogue must be approached with caution as the Kenya Kwanza government cannot be trusted after what they subjected them to after the 2022 General Election.

"If there won't be any goodwill or political good faith, even if there are 100 dialogues, they will end up with nothing. Before any dialogue, stop the abductions," he said.

He urged the leaders to think independently and protect Raila from mockery while advocating for preconditions for any talks.

"We have to protect Raila from this ridicule. We have to come up with preconditions for this dialogue. We have to think out of the box and not do things as we have always done over the years. I am where the GenZ is," he added.

Widespread rejection

Kioni pointed out that the anti-government demonstrations showed widespread rejection of Ruto across many counties and towns which clearly shows that engaging with Ruto contradicts the will of the people.

"More than 35 counties and 160 towns rejected Ruto during the anti-government demonstrations. Sitting with Ruto is going against what they stood for. Anything to do with Ruto is giving Kenya Kwanza life," he said.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga speaks in Butere during the funeral of Mzee Henry Ongoma Ambetsa on July 13, 2024. (Photo: Azimio TV)

Eugene Wamalwa added that it was up to the leaders of the opposition to decide on which side of history they wanted to be.

"We must choose to stand with either the oppressors or the people of Kenya. I refuse to support the oppressors," he said.

On his part, Wajackoyah affirmed that the opposition would not help to legitimise Ruto's government.

"Baba, there will be no dialogue. Baba, GenZ don't need to be guided or told what to do, they have proven themselves," he said.

"We have a bigger dream of forming our own government and not to join the Ruto government. Count me out on any matter of dialogue with Ruto. It cannot be in vain that all the youth lost their lives in this struggle," Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua added.

Raila had defended the dialogue move noting that many lives were lost in the last demonstrations he led and that is why he agreed to it.

He claimed the anger being expressed by the youth stems from last year when they asked him to relax and let them fight until the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill was ready.

He said that he refused to go to State House for the signing unless it was a public place like the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

"The type of dialogue we want will come up with major resolutions which might even include the dissolution of Parliament and radical reforms in the Judiciary and the Executive," he said.

He added that what the youth are advocating for is what they raised previously which includes the high cost of living, unemployment, corruption and wastage in government.