Raila faces backlash over his remarks on the dialogue forum
Raila Odinga turned into a punching bag by Kenyans online after announcing that he has agreed to have a dialogue with President Ruto to discuss the current crisis facing the nation
Raila Odinga turned into a punching bag by Kenyans online after announcing that he has agreed to have a dialogue with President Ruto to discuss the current crisis facing the nation.
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, July 9 faced a backlash online after he welcomed the formation of a multi-sectoral forum to address issues raised by Kenyans during the recent anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking at KICC, Nairobi, the former premier said the forum saying it is the way forward to get out of the current crisis in the country.
The opposition chief noted that he held consultations with President William Ruto on the forum which will be held from Monday, July 15, 2024, to Saturday, July 20, 2024.
“I am happy to confirm that we have had consultations and we have agreed that dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis we are having today in our country. We have agreed that we give people an opportunity to be heard, to express themselves to come out with the grievances which are ailing our country today so that a last solution can be found,” Raila stated.
However, his remarks did not sit well with Kenyans online who called him out over welcoming the multi-sectoral forum.
A section of netizens distanced themselves from being represented by politicians in the forum with a section of opposition leaders disagreeing with Raila on his dialogue stand.
Odinga’s biological son also chimed into the online clamor, seemingly distancing himself from his father’s opinions saying “Everybody is an individual please! Even people with the same exact names.”
Martha Karua termed the move “a trap”, adding that it will hinder the existence of meaningful talks to iron out the demands for Gen Zs.
“I agree with those who say Action Now on the clear and attainable demands of the GenZ to enhance accountability and make the state work for the masses rather than for a handful elites,” she wrote on X.
“Let’s be careful as the political class lest we hijack the genuine clamor for accountability and reforms by the GenZ. This is a trap period.”
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Other Kenyans hopped on the ridicule bandwagon insisting that dialogue between Odinga and the government has always collapsed and he will not be allowed to represent the youth in any capacity whatsoever.
Photoshopped images showing Odinga donning a UDA t-shirt were also being shared widely by the time of this publication.
X user 5peopleke said “Raila, as you go ahead and dialogue, kindly don’t involve us. Discuss your private matters. You don’t speak on our behalf.”
Another user Cornelius Ronoh said “The dialogue is between two individuals; William Ruto and Raila Odinga. We refuse to be controlled by selfish politicians who only value their stomachs. Gen Zs and Millennials are now taking the bull by the horns. Hatupangwingwi. They will not believe!”
The Government Critic also wrote “We told Raila Odinga to rest and let us handle our on matter. We are not going to dialogue with President William Ruto. We know how it ends and Baba is a clear example how dialogue never works!”
Prominent Kenyan X user Cyprian Nyakundi added “Raila Odinga is the biggest enemy of the Gen-Z movement. He has been worried all along because it’s now clear that Kenyans can unite without him, putting his bargaining power at risk.”
Also read,
Raila Junior disagrees with his father after supporting President Ruto move
New push for dialogue is a trap by politicians to hijack the Gen Z revolution; Karua
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