Dj Vnyash
Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, has acknowledged public opposition to his handshake agreement with President William Ruto. Speaking on Wednesday, Raila stated that he had received feedback indicating that many Kenyans were not in favor of the handshake.
“I have been informed by these leaders that you have said you do not want the handshake,” Raila said, emphasizing that he had received the message.
The statement comes after Raila met with several ODM leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Migori Senator Eddie Oketch, and Senator Cyrstal Asige.
Raila’s remarks followed his agreement with President Ruto to initiate a six-day multi-sectorial forum starting on Monday, July 15, aimed at fostering national dialogue and addressing Kenya’s current challenges, particularly in response to recent anti-taxation protests led by Gen Z.
“I am pleased to confirm that we have held consultations and agreed that dialogue is the way forward out of the current crisis in our country,” Raila affirmed.
However, Raila’s decision sparked criticism from Kenyan youth, particularly Gen Z, who accused him of engaging with the government solely for personal gain. His 2022 election running mate, Martha Karua, characterized the move as a hindrance to genuine dialogue to address the demands of Gen Z for accountability and reforms.
Responding to the backlash, Raila’s son distanced himself from his father’s actions, emphasizing individuality in opinion. Many other Kenyans on social media joined the criticism, expressing skepticism about the outcome of the dialogue and asserting that Raila does not represent the youth effectively.
The controversy also led to the circulation of private information about Raila and edited images depicting him in a UDA t-shirt, underscoring the contentious nature of the political discourse surrounding the dialogue initiative.
Silverio Omari
