• Raila Odinga, who in the recent past unreservedly advocated for dialogue as the sole way to save the country from sinking deep into grievous outcomes due to the Gen Z resilient protests, has now cleared the air.
  • He has boldly advocated for justice to precede any talks to fix the country. In his written address through the X space entitled “TO THE YOUNG, RESILIENT GENERATION OF OUR NATION” on July 21, 2024, it’s notable that he agrees with the demands of Gen Zs to some degree.
  • Until these issues are resolved, the desire to have a National Conversation will continue to be a nightmare.

Raila Odinga, who in the recent past unreservedly advocated for dialogue as the sole way to save the country from sinking deep into grievous outcomes due to the Gen Z resilient protests, has now cleared the air.

He has boldly advocated for justice to precede any talks to fix the country. In his written address through the X space entitled “TO THE YOUNG, RESILIENT GENERATION OF OUR NATION” on July 21, 2024, it’s notable that he agrees with the demands of Gen Zs to some degree.

Some of the integral justice issues of concern raised in his address include compensation for every victim of police brutality, dismissal of all protest-related cases, release of all abductees and those in jail, resolution of outstanding healthcare (healthcare workers’ welfare) and Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers’ grievances. Others include reverting of public healthcare insurance back to National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and discarding Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and prosecuting of all security sector perpetrators who have facilitated atrocities on peaceful Kenyans. Raila urges that these issues must be dealt with before any dialogue can be conceived.

Affirmatively, he has vividly disclaimed that until these issues are resolved, the desire to have a National Conversation will continue to be a nightmare.

Additionally, he has elaboratively proposed that representatives of the convention should come from various sectors inclusive of the youth, religious leaders, government, lawyers, teachers, and health professionals.

Moreover, he has also pointed out some issues that should be given prominence in the discussion. They include good governance, skyrocketing cost of living, eradicating tribalism, fighting corruption, and debt and fiscal management.

Assertively, he as assured the Gen Zs that he is immensely thrilled with their dedication to the cause of bringing reforms to safeguard Kenya for their future, and that the only road map to this is a structured dialogue.