Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is calling for a nationwide dialogue to address Kenya’s deepening political and generational divides, warning that without urgent conversation, the country risks sliding into unrest.
Speaking during an interview with press, the former Prime Minister said the Intergenerational National Conclave a proposal he first floated offers a structured and inclusive way for citizens to address Kenya’s core challenges without resorting to confrontation.
“I never run out of dialogue ideas because people must talk,” Raila Odinga said. “When there’s a crisis, people must find a solution. If you don’t, you get anarchy.”
Raila Odinga emphasized that the proposal is rooted in the need to include voices from every part of society. His vision involves community members identifying key concerns and electing gender-balanced and youth-inclusive delegates at the grassroots, county, and national levels. These representatives would then convene in a nationwide assembly to discuss issues affecting the country.
Raila Odinga insisted that dialogue must begin at the community level. He criticized top-down efforts that lack public ownership, pointing to recent failed attempts by President William Ruto to initiate talks with youth-led demonstrators.
“This is a people’s process,” he said. “Communities can organize and elect their representatives. Then at the national level, MPs, civil society, religious leaders, workers, and intellectuals join the table.”
Raila Odinga acknowledged the urgency of the situation during the recent Gen Z-led protests, which disrupted cities and triggered a standoff between citizens and the government. Odinga said former President Uhuru Kenyatta urged him to consider a dialogue approach with Ruto to prevent the country from descending into chaos.
“The country was in a state of crisis,” Odinga said. “The streets had become almost inaccessible. That can actually create a state of anarchy. That’s why the decision was taken at that time to get a government at least moving forward, which somebody can negotiate with.”
Raila Odinga said he stepped away from the protest frontlines out of respect for the youth’s request to lead the movement on their own terms.
“The youth said they were out to finish the job and asked me to stay home, ” Odinga said. “I respected their wishes.”
He emphasized that his proposal isn’t about personal recognition but about safeguarding the country’s future. He expressed confidence that a large segment of Kenyans could be convinced to see the urgency and value of national dialogue.
“I’m not worried about those who do not understand what I’m trying to do,” Raila said. “I always try to convince them to see the things the way I see them.”
Raila Odinga also confirmed that compensation for victims of recent protests is in progress. A task force has been established, and funding has been allocated to support those affected.
“On compensations, it’s going to happen,” he said. “Just hold your horses. A taskforce will deal with it.”
As political tensions simmer, Odinga continues to champion unity through dialogue. He framed the Intergenerational National Conclave not as a political maneuver, but as a necessary step to prevent future unrest and promote shared solutions.
“If we talk, we can fix this,” he said. “But if we remain divided, we risk much more than disagreement we risk breakdown.”
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