President William Ruto on Tuesday announced a six-day multi-sectoral dialogue forum beginning Monday, July 15, to discuss pressing issues affecting Kenyans. The forum will draw representatives from political parties, religious groups, civil society, employers, and youth.
Ruto told journalists at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi that the dialogue is a result of consultations held earlier in the day. He emphasized that all participants will bear their own attendance costs, stating that this is “in the interest of making sure we live within our means.”
The President said the forum “will propose the way forward for the country.” This dialogue comes in the wake of deadly nationwide protests against taxation and Ruto’s leadership. The protests began last month against the unpopular Finance Bill, 2024, which sought to raise additional revenue through increased taxation.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who leads the opposition lawmakers, backed Ruto’s dialogue push, terming it “the best way forward out of the crisis we are having today as a country.” Odinga said the forum will provide a platform for Kenyans to air their grievances and table issues they think are ailing the country towards “a lasting solution.”
The dialogue also stems from recommendations by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), which was constituted after the disputed 2022 presidential election results, where a section of the IEBC commissioners disowned Ruto’s election victory.
About The Author
