Kalonzo convinced me to join Ruto's call for dialogue at KICC - Raila
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File image of Azimio la Umoja co-principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga has revealed details about the events preceding his presence at the KICC on Tuesday, when President William Ruto announced a six-day multi-sectoral national dialogue forum, after assenting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024 at KICC on Tuesday.
Speaking in Butere on Saturday, Raila noted that representatives from the ruling Kenya Kwanza regime had contacted him beforehand to inform him that President Ruto intended to release the National Dialogue Committee report at the KICC, and specifically requested his presence as the ODM chief.
Raila was hesitant to attend; immediately calling Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka asking him to stand in for him. Kalonzo declined the request, encouraging Raila to attend the event himself.
"Juzi
walinitumia ujumbe ya kwamba ile report ya IEBC ilyopitishwa na bunge italetwa na
Ruto na wanataka mimi kama co-principal niwe pale. Wakasema itakuwa ikulu,
nikasema mimi siendi ikulu; iwe mahali ingine. Wakasema KICC nikasema sawasawa,"
said Raila.
"Nikampigia
Kalonzo simu; nikamwambia wanataka mimi niende (KICC) lakini ni wewe utaongoza
team yetu. Wewe na Opiyo Wandayi muende na mimi nikae kando. Kalonzo aksema
mpaka wewe ukuje."
Raila
says that before heading to KICC, Azimio leaders convened to discuss Kenya's
state in the aftermath of the finance bill and anti-government demonstrations.
He categorically stated that
there was no mention of a handshake during the session, emphasizing that Azimio
leaders supported dialogue with Kenyans rather than negotiations with President
Ruto's government.
"Tukaongea
na kusema pahali kenya iko; tuko mahali mbaya....mambo haiwezi endelea namna
hii. Tukasema tuweke mkongamanao ya watu; si dialogue na bwana ruto...ilikuwa
ni people's dialogue," said Raila.
"Hata
Ruto hakuwa anataka mambo ya dialogue; haya maneno, watu hawakuelewa
vizuri."
Following the KICC session, Raila was turned into a punching bag by Kenyans on X after the dialogue announcement was made.
The
mostly youthful Kenyans, fired at Raila questioning in what capacity he would
be taking part in the talks as many distanced themselves from being represented
by political quotas.
Odinga's biological son also
chimed into the online clamor, seemingly distancing himself from his father's
opinions saying "Everybody is an individual please! Even people with
the same exact names."
Other Kenyans hopped on the ridicule bandwagon
insisting that dialogue between Odinga and the government has always collapsed
and he will not be allowed to represent the youth in any capacity whatsoever.
Odinga's private credentials including his mobile phone
numbers were later paraded on the platform, customary to how any individual
acting against the demands of the Gen Z has been treated.
Photoshopped images showing Odinga donning a UDA t-shirt were also being shared widely by the time of this publication.
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