Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has implored the government to adopt a string of reforms to neutralize the youth-led protests that swept the country and improve service delivery to all Kenyans.
The people are hungry for leadership and policies that advocate for economic inclusivity, social justice, and political freedom, Raila added.
He noted that Kenyans want laws that make public institutions more accountable, programs that provide adequate financing for essential services, an independent, efficient, and impartial judiciary, and an accountable and transparent executive.
“We must end impunity and corruption within our three arms of government, our leaders must become modest, ethical, humble and accountable,” he said.
Raila addressed the public on Monday in Nairobi during the celebration of Saba Saba Day – a landmark moment in Kenyan history when the nation transitioned to a multi-party democracy.
Odinga urged that an all-inclusive Inter-Generational National Conclave be formed that would bring together voices from every aspect of life to chart a future for Kenya through meaningful reforms.
He called for the nation to urgently prioritize in-depth police reforms that would create a culture of transparency, accountability, and enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies and members of the public.
“The police service must be reformed to become a people’s defender, servant,” Raila stated.
He sees the proposed conclave crafting durable solutions that will deal with corruption by ensuring transparency, imposing accountability, and putting an end to the culture of impunity that protects leaders from being held to account.
Raila also implored the forum to come up with a concrete and sustainable plan to solve the problem of youth unemployment and expand opportunities for youths in both the formal and informal economies.
“I propose that the forum comes up with a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for addressing youth unemployment and the expansion of opportunities for youths in the formal and informal sectors,” he said.
The ODM leader reaffirmed that the intended national conclave would be on clear terms of reference and with sober, serious-minded minds for the good of the future of this country.
He also proposed that the outcomes of the dialogue are subjected to a national referendum for Kenyans to have the final say.
“The question we have to ask ourselves is where do we go from here, do we embrace chaos or a coming together of minds and the country?” he posed. “As a living architect of the events leading to Saba Saba, I choose a coming together of minds and the country in the interest of the country I long fought for its progress, stability and prosperityr.”
He noted that the real struggle on Monday was not just political, it’s a fight for good governance, economic justice, and equal opportunity for all.
“The biggest challenge facing Kenya today and to the perceived future, is how to expand economic opportunity and lift young Kenyans out of poverty, exclusion and unemployment,” Raila said.
