STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Homa Bay Gen Z rally behind Raila's call for dialogue

They said Raila has stood up for Kenyans' rights and that he cannot allow the nation to veer off course.

In Summary

•Addressing journalists in Homa Bay town after the meeting, the youths urged their colleagues across Kenya to give dialogue a chance.

•They said the Nadco report addresses the majority of the issues raised by young people in their protests, such as the creation of jobs and changes.

Gen Z Joseph Aloo speaks to the media in Homa Bay town on July 10,2024
Gen Z Joseph Aloo speaks to the media in Homa Bay town on July 10,2024
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO

The young people of Homa Bay county have expressed support for Raila Odinga's plea for national dialogue.

The youth, primarily  Generation Z, said Raila has stood up for the rights of Kenyans, and he cannot allow the nation to veer off course.

Joseph Aloo, John Ogemba, and Jasper Onyango, stated that they agree with Raila's and President William Ruto's stance to fully execute the National Dialogue Committee findings.

Ogemba believes that a promising start to addressing the expectations of Generation Z  was made on Tuesday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre when President Ruto signed the IEBC Amendment Bill for the agency commissioner's recruitment.

"It is incorrect to interpret President Ruto and Raila's encounter at KICC as a handshake. The IEBC Amendment Bill was signed because it was all about how Kenya can be transformed," Ogemba stated.

Some youths who spoke to the media in Homa Bay town on July 10,2024
Some youths who spoke to the media in Homa Bay town on July 10,2024
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
Some youths Gen Zs in Homa Bay town after addressing the press on July 10,2024
Some youths Gen Zs in Homa Bay town after addressing the press on July 10,2024
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO

Addressing journalists in Homa Bay town after the meeting, the youths urged their colleagues across Kenya to give dialogue a chance.

They said the Nadco report addresses the majority of the issues raised by young people in their protests, such as the creation of jobs and changes.

They agree that the report should be completely implemented in order to resolve their concerns in a cooperative manner.

Onyango said Raila cannot deceive the public since he is aware of the issues facing the nation.

“Many Kenyans demonstrated against the government's attempts to cut living expenses in the streets last year. Let's give conversation an opportunity to address all of the concerns," Onyango remarked.

Raila has been criticised for joining President Ruto at the signing of the IEBC Amendment Bill on Tuesday.

The Gen Z castigated him and advised him to stay away. They think Raila has abandoned the cause of fighting for the rights of Kenyans.

The youths have staged protests against the Kenya Kwanza government for the fourth week now, citing bad governance as their main grievance.

Once, a few of them had asked Raila not to join them in the demonstrations.

Aloo said that many young people were being harmed by the high jobless rate.

"If Nadco is implemented, the high cost of living and youth unemployment will be resolved," Aloo stated

Robert Ouko, the youth leader for the ODM, declared that his group completely supports Raila's choice to accompany President Ruto at the KICC.

"No problem can be resolved via protest. Any nation that wants to see economic development must engage in dialogue,” Ouko said.

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