Azimio leader Raila Odinga is this evening at the receiving end of Gen Zs' wrath on social media for joining calls for national dialogue under the National Multi-Sectoral Forum which they have declined to be part of.
Raila and President William Ruto announced on Tuesday the talks will get underway from Monday, July 15 and run for six days until Saturday, July 20.
The team will comprise 150 multi-sectoral stakeholders to engage the youth.
“I’m happy to confirm that we had consultations and agreed that dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis that we are facing in the country,” Raila said on the steps of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre flanked by Ruto, DP Rigathi Gachagua and a number of leaders from government and the Opposition including Kalonzo Musyoka.
“We have agreed that we give people an opportunity to be heard, express themselves and come out with the grievances that are in our country today."
Ruto announced the formation of the NMSF on June 26 after weeks of Gen Z-driven mass protests demanding that the Finance Bill, 2024 be withdrawn.
The youngsters declined to be part of the talks and demanded that the President address them on a platform they were most comfortable with.
Come Friday, July 5, the President accepted to be hosted on X Space where he fielded questions from an angry lot of Gen Zs who among other things accused him of not listening to their complaints.
"I have gone home with 'I need to listen more, I need more empathy'. My administration needs more empathy and I have heard you say more action," Ruto said in his final remarks.
On Tuesday morning, Raila who the youth had requested to stay out of the picture as they demanded better governance from the Ruto administration through mass action, emerged at the KICC during the signing of the IEBC Amendment Bill, 2024.
His “we had consultations and agreed that dialogue is the way forward” statement on the steps of the convention centre sparked outrage from Gen Zs on social media who immediately rebuffed the stance.
They said they are tribe-less, party-less and leaders-less and neither of the political class speaks for them.
“Who is ‘we’? They asked.
“We told Raila Odinga to rest and let us handle our matters. We are not going to dialogue with President William Ruto. We know how it ends and Baba is a clear example of how dialogue never works,” one averred.
“Raila, as you go ahead and dialogue, kindly don't involve us. Discuss your private matters. You don't speak on our behalf,” said another.
“Sitawahi kaa Kimya maisha yangu (I will never keep quiet in my life) until these guys either change or bounce. Anguka nayo hiyo (cramble with that) dialogue and go home Raila, Who is ‘We’? One posed.
"We are the people. It's us versus the politicians now guys,” he added.
While adding his voice in rejecting the dialogue, another X user pointed out that the country has been holding dialogue since the 2007 disputed elections and none has thus far resulted in anything tangible.
He added that the crisis the country currently finds itself in cannot be solved merely by holding boardroom talks.
“If Raila you have decided to have a dialogue with Ruto you guys can discuss your matters in private and whatever you agree on mjiwekee. Dialogue won't solve the national debt, dialogue won’t post the medical interns,” he said.
Intern doctors have since Monday been camping at the gate of the Ministry of Health headquarters demanding payment and deployment.
The Ministry of Health and the doctors union have failed to agree on the posting of 1,210 interns.
Activist Boniface Mwangi advised the medics to emulate renowned activist and current Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and occupy the MoH offices on Wednesday if they want their demands met.
“He used to take over offices, not the gate. Get the 1000 doctors, we shall join you and take over Mafya House peacefully. Hapana lala kwa barabara,” he said on X.
On Raila joining talks with the government, Mwangi called for the rejection of “handshake politics” saying they are never in the interest of the ordinary Kenyan.
“Handshake politics is the reason Kenya hasn't progressed. The only document we need to be implemented is our Constitution in its totality. These boardroom deals will not help anyone apart from the political class. We refuse to be played,” he said.
Mwangi added that the old generation of politicians is feeling threatened by the Gen Z movement and is now finding strength in numbers by speaking in one language.
“Now we know the enemies of progress and those who want to kill the reality of the new Kenya. Watch them play us, but don't allow them to be played,” he said.
“Gen Zs and Millennials are now taking the bull by the horns. Hatupangwingwi. They will not believe it! Added another X user.
Some in Raila’s own backyard like Martha Karua have also poured cold water on the impending talks terming them a trap.
"Dialogue can only be meaningful if the players have good faith and are guided by the best interests of the people. This is a trap, period," Karua said in a statement.