‘Ujumbe Umefika!’ – Raila To Kenyan Youths After Handshake Rejection
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, has acknowledged responses from Kenyans who oppose his agreement with President William Ruto.
Raila told X on Wednesday that he had received feedback that Kenyans were not interested in handshakes.
He was speaking following a meeting with several ODM leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Migori Senator Eddie Oketch, and Senator Cyrstal Asige.
Nimeambiwa na hawa viongozi kwamba mumesema hamtaki handshake. Ujumbe umefika. pic.twitter.com/wy7GKTez1o
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) July 10, 2024
“Nimeambiwa na hawa viongozi kwamba mumesema hamtaki handshake. Ujumbe umefika,” Raila said.
The Azimio leader spoke a day after agreeing to meet with President William Ruto to discuss the nation’s current crisis.
The two leaders agreed to hold a six-day multi-sector forum that will begin on Monday, July 15 and end on Saturday.
Its goal is to promote national dialogue and find long-term solutions to Kenya’s pressing issues in the aftermath of the Gen Z-led anti-taxation protests.
“I am happy to confirm that we have had consultations and we have agreed that dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis that we’re having today in our country,” said Mr Odinga.
Raila’s move offended Kenyan youth, particularly Generation Z, who accused him of dining with the Head of State for personal gain.
Martha Karua, Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 General Election, called the move “a trap,” saying it will impede meaningful talks to resolve Gen Z demands.
Let’s be careful as the political class lest we hijack the genuine clamour for accountability and reforms by the GenZ
— Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) July 9, 2024
“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 of elites,” she wrote on X.
“Let’s be careful as the political class lest we hijack the genuine clamor for accountability and reforms by the GenZ. This is a trap period.”
Odinga’s son also joined the online debate, seemingly distancing himself from his father’s views.
Everybody is an individual please! Even people with the same exact names
— Raila Odinga Junior (@Railajunior) July 9, 2024
“Everybody is an individual, please! Even people with the same exact names,” Odinga Junior posted on X.
Other Kenyans joined the ridicule, claiming that dialogue between Odinga and the government has always failed and that he will not be allowed to represent the youth in any capacity.
Odinga’s private credentials, including his mobile phone numbers, were later paraded on the platform, as has been customary for anyone acting against the demands of Generation Z.
‘Ujumbe Umefika!’ – Raila To Kenyan Youths After Handshake Rejection
