Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna announced that Azimio leader Raila Odinga will not be speaking for Gen Zs in the upcoming dialogue talks next week.
On Wednesday, Sifuna emphasized that Gen Zs have already declared themselves as party-less and do not see Raila as their leader. However, Sifuna noted that Raila will represent those he leads, including himself, during the talks.
"Baba (Raila Odinga) did not say he was going to speak on behalf of Gen Z. Gen Z said they are leaderless, and he is not their leader. But Baba has people he is leading; not everyone is leaderless or partyless," Sifuna stated.
"I have a party and I'm the secretary general, and we also have a stake in this country. We cannot just sit and be quiet when things are happening in the country."
Sifuna questioned why it should be problematic for the ODM leader to participate in the proposed dialogue when youths held talks with President William Ruto on X last week.
He insisted that the collective efforts of all Kenyans are necessary to move the country forward, which is why Raila will participate in the talks.
"Young people had their X Space with the President. Did you see Sifuna or Raila there? Raila is a leader. Not everyone in Kenya is leaderless; some have leaders, and the leaders want to dialogue because it is all of us who can build this country," Sifuna said.
Sifuna's remarks came in response to the social media backlash over calls for a six-day dialogue next week.
President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila agreed to commence a six-day multi-sectorial forum set to begin on Monday, July 15, and conclude on Saturday. The forum aims to foster national dialogue and seek lasting solutions to Kenya's pressing issues.
Ruto emphasized the importance of the forum, stating that it will propose the way forward for the country.
“This forum will begin on Monday, next week and end on Saturday next week; it will be a 6-day forum and will propose the way forward for the country,” Ruto said.
The ODM leader reiterated the importance of the forum, saying it will give Kenyans a chance to be heard.
"Dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis we're having in our country," Raila added. "We have agreed that we give people an opportunity to be heard, to express themselves so that a lasting solution can be found."