"Raila is not going to represent Gen Z" ODM SG Edwin Sifuna clarifies
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has told off those criticising ODM leader Raila Odinga for agreeing to hold national dialogue with President William Ruto.
In an interview with Standard, Sifuna said Raila has people he leads, and those are the people he is going to represent during the national dialogue announced by Ruto on Tuesday.
"Raila is not going to represent Gen Z. Gen Z have said they are leaderless and Raila is not their leader. But there are people Baba (Raila) leads. Not everyone is leaderless and partyless. I have a party and I am the Secretary General of that party (ODM)," Sifuna said.
He added that those who are in the party are the people Raila is going to represent during the dialogue.
"We can't sit as leaders and keep quiet as things happen in the country. Gen Z did their Space (X Spaces) with the president, did you see Sifuna or Raila there? No. So Raila is a leader to some people and those are the people he is going to represent, not everyone is leaderless," Sifuna added.
Raila faced criticism on Tuesday when together with Ruto they agreed on a 6-day national dialogue to discuss pressing national matters, among them the recent concerns raised by Gen Z about Ruto's governance.
Kenyans took to social media to slam him for what many said was a betrayal to the clamour for change and better leadership, with some reminding him that he does not speak for nor represent them.
Kenyans who have lately been angered by Ruto's administration expected the opposition leader to be on their side, even as he seeks the government's support for the AU Commission chairmanship.
Ruto's government faced deadly protests, especially after parliament voted in favour of the unpopular Finance Bill 2024, which sought to impose more taxes on Kenyans.
The protests forced Ruto into dropping the bill and promise austerity measures to reduce government spending.
MPs and government officials have also faced criticism from Kenyans for supporting punitive policies and openly displaying opulence while many live below the poverty line.
