Kacheliba MP endorses Raila’s call for national conclave
By Faith Lagat, July 8, 2025Kacheliba Member of Parliament Titus Lotee has strongly endorsed Raila Odinga’s proposal for a national conclave, terming it the only viable solution to Kenya’s escalating crisis.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Lotee emphasised the urgency of initiating national dialogue, noting that past approaches are no longer effective.
This comes after Raila Odinga proposed the immediate formation of an inclusive and intergenerational national conclave aimed at addressing Kenya’s worsening socio-political crisis.
In a statement marking the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba movement, while addressing the press at Serena Hotel and delivering a reflection titled “Saba Saba and the Call for a National Dialogue,” Odinga envisioned the forum as a space bringing together youth, civil society, religious leaders, professionals, and political players to chart a new course for the nation.
He emphasised the importance of giving every Kenyan a voice, saying, “We must create space for the dreams and frustrations of our youth, the wisdom of our elders, and the concerns of every struggling Kenyan.”
He further stated that the forum’s outcomes should not be left to political elites but should instead be subjected to a national referendum, allowing citizens to directly shape the country’s future. Odinga stressed that the reforms emerging from the conclave must be bold and far-reaching, aimed at strengthening governance, tackling inequality, and restoring public trust.
“This is about Kenya’s future—not about positions or power,” he said.
Demonstrations no longer effective
“What Raila Odinga is suggesting—a national conclave—is the only solution to solve this crisis,” Lotee said. He applauded Raila’s shift from protests to dialogue, pointing to the opposition leader’s long history with demonstrations. “Raila has been on the streets for the longest time, and he has come to the realisation that demonstrations are not the answer,” he stated.
According to Lotee, the current wave of protests has lost direction and public support. “The demos are not the issue of the youth anymore. Now it is about wantam—the plotters who do not have any agenda,” he said, warning that the unrest is now driven by elements with unclear motives.
He added that protests in only 17 counties showed a changing tide. “Thirty counties have learnt that violent protests are not the answer. Kenyans are learning these demos are not helping us in any way—just bringing us deaths and destruction of property.”
Mounting crisis and international concern
Lotee’s remarks come in the wake of rising tensions following the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which introduced new taxes to meet IMF revenue targets. The protests that followed triggered widespread public anger and a security crackdown. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has documented cases of police brutality, abductions, and disappearances—further deepening the national crisis.
“As a country, we are sending a very bad picture to the international community,” Lotee warned, urging leaders to find a homegrown solution that prioritises peace and accountability.
Raila’s dialogue track record
Drawing on history, Lotee described Odinga as a proven negotiator who has repeatedly chosen dialogue over division. “This is not the first time Raila is suggesting dialogue to solve a national crisis. In fact, in 2007, Raila gave dialogue a chance because he saw Kenya is bigger than him,” he said. “Raila is the father of discussions. He has dialogued with Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and William Ruto.”
According to Lotee, the proposed national conclave seeks to address critical issues like economic revival, institutional reforms, and leadership accountability.
Raila has suggested that the outcomes be subjected to a referendum, allowing Kenyans, not politicians, to decide. Lotee’s support signals growing consensus around dialogue as the most sustainable path out of the current impasse.