The Mombasa Inter-Faith Youth Network has called on President William Ruto and Azimio chief Raila Odinga to ease their hard political stances and embrace dialogue.
They asked the two leaders to agree to talk to resolve the current political debacle threatening the security of the nation.
Led by Abdalla Kheiz, they appealed to Ruto and Odinga to listen to the voice of religious leaders and agree to sit down and dialogue.
“It is sad that the two leaders that we respect so much do not want to dialogue. I can say that their hard stances are hurting us more than the controversial Finance Act 2023,” Kheiz said.
“I believe that if President Ruto and Raila agree to sit down together in one room, then we can find a solution to the current stalemate.”
Kheiz spoke in Changamwe on Monday afternoon during a trust-building session and a football tournament for peace actors in Mombasa organized by the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya.
IRCK has been instrumental in pushing for the youth to be involved in peace activities across the country.
In the lead-up to the 2022 general elections, IRCK peace actors played a pivotal role in calming political temperatures among the youth, especially in areas that were earmarked as hotspot zones for post-election violence.
Kheiz asked Ruto and Raila to put their differences aside and think of the millions of Kenyans because as the economy is hurting, it is the people who bear the brunt.
“Dialogue does not necessarily mean that they share power, but at least they can sit and agree and Kenyans will follow what they say,” Kheiz said.
Cheryl Oduor, a youth from Changamwe and a member of the network, implored her fellow youths to be engaged in peace initiatives.
She said that the youth are the backbone of society, and the moment they are peaceful the country will be at peace.
Pastor John Ouma of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches and a member of the IRCK clergy reiterated the religious leaders' call for dialogue between Ruto and Odinga.
Ouma lauded the youths for their peace initiatives saying that the efforts they have made have borne fruit as more youths are now engaging in peace work.
