‘Useless Allegations’: Raila Odinga Dismisses Claims of Benefiting from Gen Z Protests

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has strongly denied claims that he is a key beneficiary of the Gen Z-led anti-government protests, dismissing the accusations as baseless and a fabrication by the media.

In a recent interview, Raila categorically stated, “I am not a beneficiary of the Gen Z protests. These are useless allegations made in the media. I’ve not benefited.”

He explained that the allegations may have stemmed from President William Ruto’s decision to dissolve his cabinet and form a broad-based government, which included members of the opposition Azimio coalition.

Azimio’s Role in Cabinet Appointments

Raila revealed that after President Ruto’s call for inclusivity, he consulted Azimio coalition partners about the request to nominate individuals for government roles. While opinions were divided, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) eventually agreed to second some of its members to the government.

“What happened is that President Ruto wanted to involve a larger society in governance and asked if we could provide people from our party. I consulted my Azimio colleagues, and while some agreed, others did not. We then seconded some individuals, but it wasn’t about forming a coalition,” Raila clarified.

He emphasized that no formal negotiations took place and that the appointed members were selected purely on merit. Although they relinquished leadership positions within the party, they remain ODM members.

Protests and National Dialogue

Raila acknowledged that President Ruto’s cabinet restructuring may have lessened the intensity of the Gen Z protests but argued that deeper consultations are still necessary to address the underlying issues.

“I had proposed a national dialogue, but the youthful protesters refused to participate,” Raila noted, signaling ongoing challenges in bridging the gap between the government and the discontented youth.

Raila Odinga’s remarks underscore his firm denial of benefiting from the protests and highlight the complexities of navigating political partnerships in the current climate. As consultations continue, the focus remains on fostering dialogue to resolve tensions.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.