Raila Sets New Conditions Before National Dialogue Kicks Off
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has put the brakes on the planned national dialogue process, issuing a fresh set of conditions that must be met before talks can commence.
“Justice must come first before any discussions,” Raila declared in a press release on Sunday, underscoring the urgency of addressing the grievances raised by the youth as a top priority.
The ODM leader’s new demands include compensation for all victims of police brutality, the dismissal of cases related to protests, the release of those abducted or imprisoned, and resolutions to issues raised by health workers and Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. Raila is also calling for the abandonment of the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in favor of the previous National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and for the prosecution of security officers who committed crimes during the protests.
“Once these issues are resolved, we can focus on a national dialogue, conducted transparently in a neutral venue,” Raila stated.
He proposed that the dialogue’s representation should span various sectors, including youth, government, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, lawyers, and teachers. The discussions should cover key topics like governance, the rising cost of living, the eradication of tribalism, corruption, and fiscal management.
President William Ruto had recently called for a national multi-sectoral forum to address the youth’s concerns following widespread protests. However, the six-day dialogue process, initially set to begin the Monday before last, remains stalled due to unresolved issues between the opposition and the government.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that both sides are still in talks and no final list of participants has been released. “Discussions are ongoing on both sides. As you may know, the opposition has its own supporters, and they need to be consulted just as we are doing on our side,” Mwaura stated.
He also noted the possibility of utilizing technology to resolve some issues, urging patience from all parties involved.
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Raila Sets New Conditions Before National Dialogue Kicks Off
