The Kikuyu Council of Elders, led by national chairman Wachira Kiago, has requested Azimio leader Raila Odinga to initiate dialogue with President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua. Kiago emphasized the importance of unity for the country’s well-being and urged Raila to abandon plans for demonstrations that could potentially cause divisions.
Kiago humbly appealed to Raila and his team to halt the planned demonstrations and instead engage with the government, highlighting the need for peace and unity for the benefit of the nation and future generations. Raila had scheduled a rally on July 7 at Nairobi’s historic Kamukunji grounds to call for nationwide civil disobedience, aiming to pressure President Ruto into repealing the Finance Act he recently signed.
Expressing grave concern, Kiago warned about the dire consequences that mobilizing Kenyans for civil disobedience could have on the country. He stressed the significance of peace and unity among all Kenyans, transcending political party affiliations, and called on leaders from different political backgrounds to promote these values.
During the Kamukunji rally, Raila criticized the President for disregarding the pleas of Kenyans to alleviate the cost of living. Political analyst Albert Kasembeli echoed Kiago’s sentiments, suggesting that Raila should explore alternative means of expression instead of resorting to street demonstrations. Kasembeli emphasized the effectiveness of dialogue and cooperation as the most constructive ways to address the concerns of the Kenyan people.
President Ruto, on his part, asserted that the planned political rallies would not threaten his government, expressing his dedication to serving the people of Kenya and refusing to be intimidated. Deputy President Gachagua also joined the conversation, accusing Raila of employing tactics reminiscent of his past actions against former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
As Kenya strives for a brighter future, the coming days will reveal whether the political leadership can rise above partisan divisions and embrace unity and collaboration, as stated by Kasembeli. The request from the Kikuyu Council of Elders urges Raila Odinga to prioritize dialogue and peaceful means of addressing the country’s challenges.