Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has joined the push for a national dialogue, saying those not getting onboard would be disappointed.
Speaking during a local TV show on Wednesday, July 11, 2024, Kuria observed that the country was on the right track for calling for dialogue and that those opposed to it would be left out.
“I don’t know why in this country dialogue is synonymous with handshake. I am afraid people who are not boarding wataachwa kwa mataa na Wakenya wenyewe because people are in that mood. What’s wrong with dialogue,” Kuria quipped.
The CS, however, noted that dialogue would not necessarily end in a handshake, adding that talks are healthy for the overall benefit of constituencies and counties.
He expressed willingness to be called on by members of the public at his Harambee House office to discuss issues of national interest.
“I don’t know why in this country, dialogue is synonymous with the handshake but Gen Zs are telling us that we are not listening,” Kuria added.
Leaders oppose dialogue
The remarks come amid mixed reactions from a cross-section of Kenyans with the youth staying adamant about the planned national discussion while the ODM party insisting the talks must continue.
On Wednesday, July 10, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba rejected calls for a national dialogue, saying the country needs to implement recommendations of previous talks that have happened before.
President William Ruto and Raila Odinga on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, jointly threw their weight behind the planned talks.
Ruto would later set the talks to begin on Monday, July 15, 2024 and run through Saturday. The dialogue will have 150 delegates drawn from the various sectors in the country with 50 seats being allocated to the youth.
Odinga said in the spirit of austerity measures advocated by the government, the delegates will foot their transportation costs to and from the six-day meeting.
Gen Zs dismissed Odinga’s push for the calls, maintaining that the opposition leader did not in any way represent their interests. The youth added that they are not affiliated to any party and remain tribeless and leaderless.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna clarified that the sentiments by Odinga were addressed to the party leader’s constituency of supporters and not necessarily to the Gen Zs.
The youth are calling for an end to corruption in government, the sacking of all Cabinet Secretaries and the publication of all government loans.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has, however, noted that the dialogue should not be seen as the sanitization of the Kenya Kwanza administration.