ODM leader Raila Odinga is stepping back from a proposed political agreement with President William Ruto.
This move comes after significant opposition from his coalition partners in the Azimio la Umoja alliance.
President Ruto had suggested forming a government of national unity to address the political crisis following a contentious election.
Reports indicated that Ruto was prepared to offer Raila seven Cabinet slots, 12 principal secretary positions, and several parastatal appointments and ambassador posts.
The goal was to bring Raila and his allies into the government, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation.
However, the reaction from Raila's coalition has been overwhelmingly negative. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, along with other Azimio principals such as Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa, have firmly rejected the idea of national dialogue with Ruto.
They argue that engaging in such talks would legitimize Ruto's administration, which they believe is flawed and should not be given any semblance of credibility.
On Wednesday, Kalonzo made a public statement emphasizing his refusal to participate in the six-day national dialogue proposed by Ruto. He asserted, "They [Gen Zs] don't need dialogue; we don't need to be seen to be sanitizing a regime that has fallen flat on its tummy."
Amidst this backlash, Raila posted a cryptic message on Twitter, hinting at his retreat from the proposed deal. "I have been told by these leaders that you don't want a handshake.
The message is home," he tweeted, signaling his acknowledgment of the opposition within his coalition.
This retreat has left many of Raila's supporters confused and frustrated. Social media platforms are buzzing with reactions from his staunchest followers, who are vehemently opposed to any alliance with Ruto, given the bitter election that saw Azimio reject the results.
The idea of a government of national unity is not new in Kenya. Similar arrangements have been made in the past to resolve political crises.
In 2008, following post-election violence, a national unity government was formed, bringing together President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.
Again, in 2017, the "handshake" between Raila and then-President Uhuru Kenyatta was a significant political development aimed at fostering peace and cooperation.
Despite the internal opposition, the ODM party has defended the call for national dialogue. ODM chairman John Mbadi stated that such talks are crucial for navigating the current political crisis.
He pointed out that national conversations have historically helped resolve political issues in Kenya, citing examples like the Inter-Party Parliamentary Group in 1997, the 2008 post-election dialogue, and the 2017 handshake.
"In making the call, the party leader (Raila) did what he does always. Raila always helps the country pull back from the precipice whenever we find ourselves there," Mbadi said.
"There can be no doubt that as a country, we are at a crossroads and approaching a precipice. One of us has to be magnanimous and patriotic enough to help call the country to order."
The upcoming dialogue, scheduled for Monday to Saturday next week, is expected to address the current political tensions.
President Ruto has indicated that 50 slots will be reserved for youth, with the remaining 100 shared across various sectors. This move is seen as an attempt to include diverse voices and perspectives in the government.
There are suggestions that the dialogue could lead to changes in the government structure, potentially resulting in a government of national unity where ODM members may be incorporated into Ruto's Cabinet.
However, the specifics of any power-sharing deal remain unclear and closely guarded.
Governance expert Fred Ogolla has dismissed the planned dialogue, arguing that such exercises have historically yielded little tangible progress. He suggests that new leadership is needed to move the country forward.
"These guys had dialogue even before independence between Jaramogi and Kenyatta. There was no dialogue for Asian Tigers like Singapore, South Korea to achieve what they did," Ogola said.
"In short, our leaders are acknowledging failed leadership, and therefore the rest of us should emerge and offer leadership."
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