NAIROBI, Kenya – A section of opposition leaders have declined calls for dialogue with the Kenya Kwanza government, fearing it will hijack the calls for reforms by the youth.
Notable leaders like the former Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa have publicly renounced the recent calls by President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga for a fresh round of national dialogue.
Wamalwa’s firm stance was made clear in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he emphatically stated, “I am not boarding!”
Wamalwa’s rejection follows closely on the heels of Martha Karua, another prominent Azimio-affiliated leader, who also expressed skepticism about the proposed talks.
Karua cautioned that for the discussions to be fruitful, all parties involved must demonstrate genuine goodwill. She warned that without this, the dialogue would merely be a trap.
“I agree with those who say Action Now on the clear and attainable demands of the GenZ to enhance accountability and make the state work for the masses rather than for a handful elites. Let’s be careful as the political class lest we hijack the genuine clamour for accountability and reforms by the GenZ,” Karua said.
“This is a trap period. Dialogue can only be meaningful if the players have good faith and are guided by the best interests of the people.”
The renewed call for dialogue was initiated during the signing of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Amendment Bill, 2024.
This bill is a key outcome of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) talks, in which Wamalwa played a significant role representing the Opposition.
Despite his participation, Wamalwa has consistently criticized the final report from the NADCO talks, insisting that it failed to address the most pressing issue for Kenyans: the high cost of living.
He has also firmly refused to accept any allowances associated with his involvement in the talks.
“I didn’t and will not append my signature to the NADCO report, and have not and will not accept any sitting allowance for the same because I believe we did not do justice to the single most important issue to Kenyans, cost of living,” Wamalwa asserted.
Meanwhile, President Ruto and former Prime Minister Odinga have agreed to launch a six-day multi-sectorial forum aimed at fostering national dialogue and seeking lasting solutions to Kenya’s pressing issues. The forum is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 15, and conclude on Saturday.
