Former interior CS Fred Matiang'i has dismissed calls for national dialogue. Photo Citizen Digital.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has dismissed on taking part in the proposed national dialogue dubbed “Conclave” by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with President William Ruto discuss the issues grappling the nation.
Speaking during a televised interview on Monday morning, Matiang’i said that there is nothing new they can tell the president, which has not been said by the Gen Z protesters who took on the streets.
According to him, he cannot come up with a new thing to table to the head of state and he completely understand Ruto cannot need him to front anything.
“Ata hitaji nini kutoka kwangu? What will he need from me? What will I tell him that he cannot hear from the people in the streets? What can I tell him that he is not hearing from the Gen Zs? Hiyo ni kujifanya, what is new new,? What are they going to tell him?” Matiang’i questioned.
However, Matiang’i called on government to listen to the Gen Zs, who are the new political wave in the country, or come to terms with the consequences of ignoring them.
Matiang’i said that the young generation has raised genuine concerns against the government, which require immediate attention, ranging from unemployment, poor governance and exclusion, as well as failure by the government of listening to their grievances.
“For any democratically elected government, they have to listen and robustly engage the youth. The youth are saying that your government has not listened. These are not just complaints; these are cries rooted in economic hardship, systemic neglect, and exclusion. If you were to write a manifesto out of the Gen Z uprising, you would outline several things; one is that Gen Z’s voice is not being heard,” Matiang’i explained.
He further cautioned the government against using brutal force when handling opposing voices, and called on National Police Service to exercise restraint and respect to human rights while managing protests in the country, instead engage in a discourse that could bring reforms and an end to the divide.
“Please do not turn your weapons on your fellow citizens exercise restraint and sobriety. I urge the government not to harden its heart but to genuinely listen to the citizens’ cry for justice and reform,” he cautioned.
His counterpart DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua also dismissed the calls for talks, stating that they have never realised anything tangible ever since, with the only thing changing is the name, and NADCO report yet to be implemented.
