Uncertainty clouds planned dialogue as Gen Zs remain put

Opposition Leader Raila Odinga addresses the media after the signing of IEBC bill that was developed from NADCO report into law by President William Ruto.  [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

A forum to facilitate dialogue on issues affecting the country is expected this week, as promised by President William Ruto, but a cloud of uncertainty hangs over it.

Ruto announced last week that a national dialogue forum would begin today and run throughout the week, but as of Sunday, it was still not clear whether the process will begin.

On the other hand, Gen Z has insisted that the demonstrations, ‘Occupy Central Business District (CBD)’ tomorrow are still on, saying they will not allow anyone to hijack the process.

“Our movement cannot be hijacked by any politician or organization… we remain leaderless, tribeless and partyless. All sovereign power belong to the people and shall be exercised only in accordance with the Constitution,” posters showing the planned demonstrations indicated.

President Ruto announced a six-day multi-sectoral dialogue forum beginning July 15 to discuss issues pressing Kenyans. He said that the forum is expected to bring together Kenyans from various sectors including political parties, religious groups, civil society, employers and youth.

“This forum will begin on Monday (today) and end on Saturday. The six day forum will propose the way forward for the country. In the interest of making sure we live within our means, all participants will bear their costs of attendance. We look forward to beginning the forum and various stakeholders will be required to submit their representatives by Friday,” Ruto said last Tuesday.

The President said the forum will be in an effort to propose the way forward for the country, coming against the backdrop of far-reaching changes he made last week, including dismissing his Cabinet.

Already, the President has had time to listen to the Gen Z on X space and promised to hold more conversations to address arising issues.

As the president announced plans to hold a dialogue, he was flanked by among others Azimio leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, who supported the idea of having a conversation.

Raila and Kalonzo however, were to later clarify their stance on the kind of dialogue that should happen, after they were heavily criticized over their decision.

And on Sunday, Ruto affirmed that the country is undergoing a transformation and he will be focused on ensuring it is stable and united, even though he did not delve into details on how the dialogue would be effected.

“I have turned a new page, pray for me as I plan to get new employees who will help me actualize the promises we gave because we want to transform the country. We want to have a country that is steady, firm, prosperous and carries the aspirations of the people,” said the President, when he attended Sunday service in Nyandarua.

At the same time, Raila has painted the scenario under which dialogue should be held, saying it is about the people and not directly with the President.

He stated that the opposition have travelled the similar path of pushing for change in the country, citing last year when they held demonstrations.

“We were on the road last year, but we agreed people should speak instead of protesting and Kalonzo led our team which came up with the National Dialogue Committee report but nothing much was done with it. I knew what had happened last year would happen again and the issues Gen Z have raised are not any different. The anger that people felt last year is back,” Raila said over the weekend.

He explained the circumstances that led him, Kalonzo and other Azimio leaders saying that even before they met the President last week, they agreed to have a people’s dialogue and not about sharing positions.

“Kenya is at a crossroads and Kenyans must agree. We spoke and agreed for a dialogue with the people and not with Ruto… it is not about going to speak with Ruto or United Democratic Alliance. We want dialogue with the people to pass resolutions for the country,” Raila explained.

He said that Kenyans have experienced serious problems, hence their resolve to pass a vote of no confidence against the three arms of government.

On Friday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) issued their demands, as it rooted for a national conversation adding that it should come ahead of any other issue surrounding the structure of national governance. 

As a party, ODM Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna said that ODM has never shied away from stepping up and having difficult conversations whenever the destiny of the nation is at stake.

“In order for us to have this national conversation, we call on the Government to take certain immediate steps to create the necessary environment. The decision to fire the Cabinet was a good start. But the feeling across the country is that there still exists an atmosphere of fear that makes it impossible for people to speak freely,” said Sifuna.

He said the emerging issues and urgent need to address them is not about rescuing the Kenya Kwanza regime, adding that the crisis that the country has been experiencing was precipitated by failure to listen to each other and cannot be resolved by the same attitude.