Orange Democracy Movement chief Raila Odinga has restated his call for an intergenerational dialogue with President William Ruto to seek solutions to the challenges causing unrest in the country.

Speaking in Bomet county on Saturday, July 12, while attending a funeral, Raila said incessant mass action protests in the streets are not viable to effect the needed change in the country.

Neither does the current opposition have any alternative, he said.

"Every day, protests and 'Ruto Must Go' chants cannot solve anything. Even if Ruto went today, that would not be a solution to our challenges. Even when you elect Rigathi Gachagua, there is no difference he will make," he said.

He appreciated that protests have been a way of airing grievances in the past, only that they are not practical at this time.

Seeking to dismiss the belief that he was pushing for an exclusive conclave, Raila said his proposition accommodates all Kenyans from across cultures and sectors.

He proposed that each county produces at least 40 representatives to engage with the government.

Raila prioritised the youth in his proposition; he said that of the 40 emissaries from the counties, 20 should be young people and the remainder be people of middle and old age.

According to Raila, the representatives will engage the government with talking points and issues unique to their respective counties.

The dialogue should materialise this August, he proposed.

"Young Kenyans demonstrating aren't mad. They are our children; we ought to engage them. Men and women across generations should come together for a dialogue. I have proposed that every county produce representatives. At least 40 from each county, with 20 being the youth. This will not be ordinary talks. We will look forward to solutions. And it should start from next month. The talks will accommodate people with disabilities, civil society, business people, farmers and all Kenyans. That will solve our challenges, because we don't want to get to the 2027 General Election with a lot of anger," he said.

At the same time, Raila hinted at another push on the sidelines; the referendum.

He noted that the time had come to adjust the constitution to accommodate the political status quo.

"We have had our constitution for 15 years, and we know where it is not helping us. We want to rectify and mend it. That is why I am saying the time for Kenya to dialogue has come. The time for people to dialogue is now," he said.

Nevertheless, Raila's interventions in the recent past have been met with objections, with the citizenry opposed to Ruto's regime holding onto their stance against it.

They vowed not to give a chance for dialogue, mounting pressure on the president to give up power.

But even with the public disapproval, Ruto has continued to prove tough against his naysayers.

The president accuses the opposition, stewarded by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, of inciting the youth to occasion a regime change.

He said he would remain on course, and race against his development agenda, dismissing the noise from the detractors.

Ruto also warned the opposition against any attempts to topple him, saying such would be repulsed decisively.

Source: TUKO.co.ke