ODM has defended Azimio leader Raila Odinga's presence during the signing of the newly enacted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Law.
On Tuesday, President William Ruto signed into law the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2024 at KICC.
Ruto was joined by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Raila and Wiper Party chief Kalonzo Musyoka among other leaders.
However, Raila's presence at KICC was received by mixed reactions from Kenyans.
ODM explained that the signing of the IEBC law was a product of the Finance Bill 2023 protest led by Raila, hence his presence at the event was important.
According to them, Kenyans lost up to 75 people to gunshots during the protests.
They said that after the struggle and persistence that saw Raila targeted for assassination, they did not give up.
"Out of that persistence came the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which President William Ruto signed into law yesterday," the statement read.
"We agree that it was proper and worth it that our party leader should be at the event, in honour of those who were killed and maimed during the protests."
The youth had requested Raila to stay out of the picture as they demanded better governance from the Ruto administration through mass action.
However, Raila 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.
Raila and Ruto announced a national dialogue under the National Multi-Sectoral Forum.
The talks will start on Monday, July 15 and run for six days until Saturday, July 20.
Raila called for a national conversation on the issues being raised by the youth of Kenya and other voices.
"In making the call, the Party Leader did what he always does. Raila Odinga always helps the country pull back from the precipice whenever we find ourselves there. There can be no doubt that as a country, we are at a crossroads and approaching a precipice. One of us has to be magnanimous and patriotic enough to help call the country to order," ODM said.