Silverio Omari
Opposition leader Raila Odinga faced sharp criticism from Kenyans online after announcing his agreement to engage in dialogue with President William Ruto to address the nation’s current crisis. The planned six-day forum, starting on July 15, aims to facilitate national dialogue and address pressing issues following anti-taxation protests led by Gen Z.
“I am pleased to confirm that we have consulted and agreed that dialogue is the way forward to resolve the crisis facing our country today,” stated Mr. Odinga. “We aim to allow people to voice their concerns and grievances, which are impacting our nation, in order to find sustainable solutions.”
Shortly after the announcement, many online, particularly youth, criticized Odinga, questioning his authority to represent them in talks dominated by political figures. Martha Karua, Odinga’s former running mate in the 2022 elections, labeled the move a “trap,” warning it could undermine genuine efforts to address Gen Z’s demands.
Odinga’s own son distanced himself from his father’s stance, emphasizing individual perspectives. Online, there was widespread skepticism that dialogue between Odinga and the government would yield meaningful outcomes, citing past failures. Criticism intensified with personal details of Odinga being shared and manipulated images of him in a UDA t-shirt circulating widely.
Reflecting the sentiment, various voices on social media insisted they would not be represented by political elites and rejected Odinga’s involvement in dialogue with Ruto. The youth vowed to continue their pressure on the government independently, emphasizing their stance as leaderless and unrepresented politically.
