Raila Odinga assures Gen Z ‘Ujumbe umefika’ after uproar over handshake

Azimio leader Raila Odinga now says that he has received messages from Kenyans opposing any plan to have a handshake with President William Ruto.

In a post on X, Raila was seen in pictures with Senators Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Eddy Oketch (Migori) and Crystal Asige (nominated) among others.

“Nimeambiwa na hawa viongozi kwamba mumesema hamtaki handshake. Ujumbe umefika,” Raila said in a caption to the pictures.

This translates to, “I have been told by these leaders that you said you don’t want a handshake. The message has been received”.

There has been an uproar among Kenyan youths over Raila’s call for a national dialogue, on Tuesday.

In an announcement, President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila agreed to commence a six-day multi-sectorial forum.

The forum, set to begin on Monday, July 15  and conclude on Saturday, will foster national dialogue and seek lasting solutions to Kenya’s pressing issues.

Ruto emphasised the importance of the forum stating that it will propose the way forward for the country.

“This forum will begin on Monday, next week and end on Saturday next week, it will be a 6-day forum and will propose the way forward for the country,” Ruto said

The ODM leader reiterated the importance of the forum, saying that it will give Kenyans a chance to be heard.

“Dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis we’re having in our country,” Raila added.

“We have agreed that we give people an opportunity to be heard, to express themselves so that a lasting solution can be found.”