NARC-Kenya leader Martha Karua has voiced strong opposition to the calls for national dialogue, describing them as a government strategy designed to distract the public and diminish the momentum of ongoing resistance.
On July 9, 2024, Karua took to her social media platforms to express her concerns, arguing that the government's proposal for dialogue is not in good faith and is intended to divert attention from critical issues facing the nation.
Martha Karua’s dismissal of the dialogue calls stems from her belief that the government’s intentions are not genuine. She emphasized that for any dialogue to be meaningful, it must be conducted with good faith and a true commitment to the interests of the people.
“Dialogue can only be meaningful if the players have good faith and are guided by the best interests of the people. This is a trap period,” she stated emphatically.
According to Karua, the government aims to use the dialogue to deflect attention from the pressing issues that have galvanized public protests and resistance.
Karua further claimed that the genuine efforts to hold the government accountable had been hijacked by a small group of elites.
She underscored the importance of maintaining the integrity of the movement for accountability and reforms, particularly those driven by the younger generation, known as Gen Z.
This generation has been at the forefront of protests against proposed taxes and other government policies perceived as unjust.
Karua highlighted the recent protests by Gen Z as a genuine expression of public discontent. “Let’s be careful as the political class lest we hijack the genuine clamor for accountability and reforms by the Gen Z,” she warned.
Karua urged her fellow politicians to be cautious and to ensure that their decisions truly reflect the interests of the people.
She stressed the need for immediate action on the clear and attainable demands of Gen Z to enhance government accountability and ensure that the state serves the people, not just a privileged few.
In her view, the younger generation’s protests are driven by legitimate grievances that need to be addressed directly rather than being sidelined through a potentially deceptive dialogue process.
Interestingly, Karua’s stance stands in contrast to that of other leaders within the Azimio coalition. Azimio leader Raila Odinga has expressed support for the national dialogue initiative.
He reminded Kenyans that the country's current problems led to the creation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
Odinga emphasized that he and President William Ruto had agreed on dialogue as the best way forward. “We agreed when we said together with my brother William Ruto that we will follow the route of dialogue, that is why NADCO was set up,” Raila stated.
Raila acknowledged the public’s frustration with corruption and government waste, and he called for inclusive and robust discussions to address these issues.
He pointed out that Kenyans are facing tough economic times and that dialogue is necessary to listen to their plight and find sustainable solutions.
According to Raila, the dialogue process is meant to be an all-inclusive engagement that brings together various stakeholders to tackle the nation's challenges.
Raila’s call for dialogue was echoed by his co-principal, Kalonzo Musyoka. Speaking at an event where President Ruto signed the Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill, Kalonzo emphasized the importance of having a fully constituted electoral body to ensure transparency and accountability in government.
He argued that dialogue is essential for addressing the root causes of the nation's problems and for fostering a sense of unity and common purpose among Kenyans.
Kalonzo highlighted that the electoral reforms embodied in the new bill are a direct response to the demands of Kenyans for a more accountable and transparent electoral process.
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