Opposition leader Raila Odinga has stated that he will not participate in the national dialogue proposed by President William Ruto until certain conditions are met, emphasizing that “justice must come before talks.”
In a letter to the Kenyan youth on Sunday, Odinga expressed solidarity with the young generation leading anti-government protests for over a month. He outlined specific demands that must be addressed before engaging in the six-day multi-sectoral dialogue forum proposed by President Ruto on July 9, 2024.
Initially, Odinga had supported Ruto’s call for dialogue, describing it as “the best way forward out of the crisis we are having today as a country.”
However, Odinga has now stipulated the following conditions for his participation:
– Compensation for victims 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 education (JSS teachers) grievances
– Reverting public healthcare insurance back to NHIF and discarding SHIF
– Prosecution of all security sector perpetrators responsible for atrocities against peaceful Kenyans
Odinga stated that once these issues are resolved, a national conversation can proceed, conducted transparently in a neutral venue. He proposed that representatives from various sectors, including youth, government, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, lawyers, and teachers, should be involved in the convention.
He further argued that the national conversation should address key national and constitutional matters such as:
– Good governance
– Skyrocketing cost of living
– Eradicating tribalism
– Fighting corruption
– Debt and fiscal management
The talks proposed by President Ruto, initially set to start on July 15, are now uncertain due to these unresolved issues.
