Leaders across the political divide have rallied behind Kenyans in their quest to oppose the recent calls for dialogue by the government and the opposition to quell the ongoing political agitation in the country.
While Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua termed the fresh dialogue calls by the President a trap, former Migori Women representative Dr Pamella Odhiambo waded in the matter calling it a ploy to divert Kenyan’s attention from the ongoing crisis.
On Tuesday, President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga in a joint presser called for fresh dialogue to quell the current tension witnessed in the country in the recent past.
According to Mrs Karua whose remarks came shortly after the announcement, “any dialogue can only be meaningful if all players have goodwill.”
“All the sector players agitating for the so-called dialogue must be guided by the best interests of the people of Kenya,”she said in a statement.
The sentiments were echoed by Dr Odhiambo who noted that the issues raised by the Gen Z’s needed immediate atdress and not “mere incessant talks.
“All the issues being addressed are in the public domain and need no national discourse as purported. All the arms of government must rise up to the occasion and act in accordance with the constitution.
Dr Odhiambo called on the government to move with speed and address the rising concerns of the youths as “dialogue will only add to their impatience thus exacerbating the already volatile situation.
“Every arm of the government has a mandate to play and that should be it. Dragging the youths into a national discourse at a time when their demands are all and sundry is a clear indication of an inept and ineffective government. Let them address the issues at hand,” she pointed out.
The sentiments come even after President Ruto announced that the NMSF will get underway on Monday, July 15 and run for six days.
The president and the opposition chief emphasized the importance of the talks noting that the forum will propose the way forward for the country.
“We have agreed that a dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis that we are having in our country,” Mr Odinga who was flanked by Ruto, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and a host of other leaders from the government and the Opposition said at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
Former Ndhiwa legislator Augustine Neto also waded in the matter saying the time to fall back on dialogue as a way of finding solutions to pressing issues facing the country is long gone.
“Hon Raila Odinga, you know how much respect I have for you. You know how I always tell you the truth, with a lot of humility. Kenya does not need dialogue. Don’t be stuck in the past,” he posted on X.
“What Kenya is facing right now are constitutionalism and rule of law issues. Simple! Don’t massage them otherwise. You cannot dialogue about corruption; you cannot dialogue about incompetence.”
President William 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.
He said the forum would comprise all stakeholders to address the concerns raised by the youth. The youths have distanced themselves from the forum.
According to Neto, the issues the NMSF purports to seek to address are contained in the Constitution, particularly Article 73 (2) on the guiding principles of leadership and integrity.
The section clearly states that the selection of individuals to public office should be based on their personal integrity, competence and suitability for election in free and fair elections.
He further pointed out that the law also requires leaders to exercise objectivity and impartiality in decision-making and ensure the decisions they make are not influenced by nepotism, favouritism or other improper motives or corrupt practices.
He said leaders are further required by law to be accountable to the public for the decisions and actions they take and to remain disciplined and committed while serving the people.
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