It is understood that Raila’s public appearance at the footsteps of the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC) alongside President William Ruto found many of the opposition troops unawares.
While it was public knowledge that Raila and other party leaders would witness Ruto’s signing of the new elections laws at KICC, the second briefing on the six-day national dialogue came as a surprise.
They had earlier addressed the nation alongside Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka and parliamentary leaders inside the KICC building before walking downstairs.
Raila’s support for Multi Sectoral Forum has already divided his fellow Azimio bigwigs who have distanced themselves from the initiative with some terming the move as self-seeking.
Besides the storm triggered in Azimio, there is a state of confusion in his ODM party where most politicians claim they were neither briefed nor notified of the new development.
Raila was accompanied by his two deputies Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya during the talks with Ruto's team at KICC on Tuesday.
Others were Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, Senate Minority Leader Steward Madzayo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
They are also in a dilemma on whether to sustain attacks against the government or cease after Tuesday’s meeting between Ruto and Raila and the possibility of a government of national unity being formed.
“Mimi naye bado nitapiga hii Government (for me, I will continue blasting this government,’’ said Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
“I will continue playing the role of opposition, keeping checks and balances on this defunct Government under the doctrine of separation of powers, checks and balances as was opined by Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède de Montesquieu in the 17th century.’’
Some of the ODM troops have previously held tough stances against President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government over his radical tax policies and have backed the Generation Z revolt.
"A Government of National Unity it is…." Narok Senato Ledama Ole Kina posted on his X account on Wednesday.
Some of the ODM politicians are worried that Raila’s image stands to suffer irredeemably, especially after the youths who were protesting asked him to "stay at home" and allow them to fight on.
There are fears that Raila’s longstanding credentials of social justice and reforms could be dented following what appears to be an endorsement of Ruto’s government and his plans.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, on Tuesday, exposed the discomfort in ODM after he accused some party stalwarts of taking Raila through the mad.
“Raila Odinga needs to be guided by the people who surround him. I think people have sacked through the blood of Baba (Raila) and dumped him for far too long," protested Amisi as he urged Gen Z to press on.
“Raila did not start the Gen Z revolution., the Gen Z appreciated his contribution to the nation and told him to relax they will finish the journey for him. They have not even reached the banks of river Jordan."
The MP said that talks between Ruto and Raila should only be centred around the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report and not on the Gen Z revolution.
On his part, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma said the proposed dialogue will help the country fairly share the national cake including ensuring equity in job distribution.
“Mt. Kenya region 16 Principal Secretaries: the whole of Nyanza 2! We must balance Kenya. We fought for independence in the bush: we won independence on the table at Lancaster, Baba bring Dialogue," he said on his X account.
While some argued that Raila’s backing of talks was a strategy to give the youthful generation a platform to voice their concerns, there is a feeling that much was already documented in the Nadco report.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was signed into law by President Ruto on Tuesday is a product of the Nadco report.
There are at least eight other Bills that are at various stages of consideration by Parliament and which were a product of the report.
It has emerged that Raila could chair a key party organ meeting this week to apprise his troops of the latest development.
The Central Management Committee (CMC) will also decide on how ODM will make submissions during the multi-sectoral forum which begins next week Monday to Friday.
A senior party official who sits in the National Executive Committee said the CMC can act on behalf of the NEC and ratify any proposals that the party may need in light of the national dialogue.
“The Central Management Committee will meet this week to consider several issues including aligning with the new reality.... most of the members are indeed unaware about the latest development," the official said.
President Ruto on Tuesday announced a six-day multi-sectoral dialogue forum beginning Monday, July 15, to discuss issues pressing Kenyans.
Ruto said the forum will draw representatives from political parties, religious groups, civil society, employers and youth.
“In the interest of making sure we live within our means; all participants will bear their attendance costs. This is a result of consultations we have held this morning,” he said.
Stakeholders will be required to submit their representatives by Friday this week, Ruto added.
Raila backed Ruto’s dialogue push, terming it “the best way forward out of the crisis we are having today as a country.”
“We will give people an opportunity to be heard,” Raila said, adding that it will provide a platform for Kenyans to air their grievances and table issues they think are ailing the country towards “a lasting solution.”
“There are many issues affecting Kenyans but all of them are solvable,” said the former prime minister.
“Unemployment, corruption, ethnicity, debt and the management of the economy are issues we need to talk about.”
There is talk that the formation of a government of national unity is in the offing with some of the ODM leaders expected to be incorporated in government in the impending reorganisation.
