Youths reject Raila Odinga’s appeal for dialogue, demand urgent reforms

Youths have rejected calls for talks, insisting that the country does not need elite dialogue but urgent action on issues affecting the younger generation, including unemployment, exclusion from decision-making and limited access to national resources.

The Gen Zs, under the movement - Identity Yetu, said their mission is not to engage in political debates, but to actively empower Kenyans, particularly the youth, to take charge of their future.

Their remarks come just days after ODM leader Raila Odinga proposed a national dialogue to address the country’s problems.

According to Odinga, “Protests and shouting ‘Ruto Must Go’ won’t solve the real problems Kenyans are facing.” He added that a structured conversation would offer more sustainable solutions.

But the Identity Yetu members dismissed the idea of elite negotiations, saying what is needed now is not talk, but tangible action.

They emphasised that for real change to occur, young people must begin by embracing their civic duties such as registering for national identification cards, acquiring voter’s cards, and fully participating in the electoral process.

In a series of recent meetings, the group expressed frustration over the government’s failure to prioritise youth-centred issues, particularly in the sectors of education, employment and access to national opportunities.

“While the government continues to speak about prioritising the youth, the reality is that many young people still lack job opportunities and avenues for economic empowerment,” one of the members said.

“Worse, they remain excluded from key decision-making processes that directly affect their lives.”

The group also called for unity among young people, stating that lasting transformation would only come through collective action.

“We are asking young people to put aside political divisions and think about the bigger picture—building a country that acknowledges and respects the dreams and energy of its youth,” a representative of Identity Yetu said.

The movement said it aims to spark a nationwide awakening, driven by youth-led advocacy that not only empowers but also compels the government to be more responsive and accountable.

Meanwhile, Odinga has defended his call for the formation of a national conclave, which he described as a vital step towards reshaping the country’s political and social landscape through collective civic engagement.

He dismissed critics of the initiative, insisting that the conclave would provide an all-inclusive platform for honest dialogue on national challenges.

Outlining his proposal, Odinga said the forum would comprise 40 individuals drawn from all 47 counties, with a deliberate structure to ensure generational representation.

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“Fifty per cent must be youth, the remaining 50 per cent people of middle age, and people of old age wawe wachache,” he said. "Let all Kenyans discuss the problem. We do not want to go into the 2027 elections with anger.”

Despite his defence, Identity Yetu members maintained that such forums would only serve the elite and fail to address the urgent concerns facing the youth on the ground. They called instead for direct action and inclusion in policy implementation, not more discussions.