Former Makueni County Governor Kivutha Kibwana has advised the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition to refrain from interfering with the Gen Z movement. In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, July 15, 2024, Kibwana questioned why the Raila Odinga-led Azimio coalition is inserting itself into a youth-driven revolution.
He criticized Azimio leaders for believing that they can address the issues raised by the Gen Zs by engaging in dialogue with the government led by President William Ruto.
“Why does AZIMIO believe it will solve the problems raised by Gen Zs by engaging Government while the aggrieved party is Gen Z and the rest of Kenyans?” Kibwana questioned.
Kibwana emphasized the importance of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition refraining from involvement in the Gen Z movement. He pointed out historical instances where the political class had intervened and disrupted movements such as the Mau Mau in the 1950s and the National Convention Executive Council (NCEC) in the 1990s.
Kibwana believes that by allowing the Gen Z movement to progress without interference from the political class, the country can achieve the peaceful change that everyone desires.
“The Political Class aborted MAU MAU of the 50s & the NCEC of the 1990s. The Gen Z Movement is our only hope for PEACEFUL CHANGE,” Kibwana stated.
Why does AZIMIO believe it will solve the problems raised by Gen Zs by engaging Government while the aggrieved party is Gen Z and the rest of Kenyans? The Political Class aborted MAU MAU of the 50s & the NCEC of the 1990s. The Gen Z Movement is our only hope for PEACEFUL CHANGE.
— Kivutha Kibwana (@ProfKibwana) July 15, 2024
Raila Odinga faced criticism from Gen Zs on social media after he endorsed calls for national dialogue through the National Multi-Sectoral Forum, despite their refusal to participate. He and President William Ruto had announced the dialogue to commence from Monday, July 15, 2024, involving 150 stakeholders to engage with youth issues.
However, there was uncertainty whether the talks would proceed as Raila later indicated he would not join the dialogue with Ruto, citing pressure from Kenyans and his Azimio co-leaders. During a weekend event in Butere, Kakamega County, Raila clarified that the initiative he supported was a people’s dialogue, distinct from President Ruto’s proposal.
The location and participants of the scheduled dialogue remained unclear, with divisions among opposition groups and stakeholders expressing confusion over the talks’ ambiguity. Raila, while visiting the site of recent grim discoveries in Kware, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, opposed the calls for immediate dialogue.
Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka who had accompanied Raila said the opposition will not engage in any dialogue with people with blood on their hands.
