Mombasa Governor endorses Raila’s call for inclusive talks

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir has thrown his full weight behind ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga’s call for a national intergenerational dialogue, saying Kenya urgently needs a renewed conversation to address growing youth disillusionment and the country’s deepening socio-economic crisis.

In a press statement issued on Monday, July 7, 2025, the Deputy Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement described the proposed national conclave as a necessary step toward restoring public trust, promoting equity, and healing a nation at a crossroads.

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“We must confront the reality that millions of Kenyans, especially our youth, are weighed down by economic exclusion, unemployment, and a loss of faith in public institutions. The disillusionment we are witnessing across the country is not borne of indiscipline or disinterest — it is a direct response to systemic inequities and unfulfilled promises.”

Nassir drew parallels between Kenya’s current state and the momentous era that gave rise to the Saba Saba movement thirty-five years ago, saying that the same urgent demands for justice, democracy, and inclusion still echo today.

“Kenya finds itself at a crossroads, not unlike the momentous season that birthed Saba Saba. The aspirations that drove that historic movement — freedom, democracy, inclusion, and justice — remain urgent today,” Nassir added.

He emphasised that only through bold and inclusive national dialogue can the country address its mounting governance and economic challenges.

He noted that in Mombasa, policy reforms anchored in public engagement had already borne fruit and served as a template for what national discourse could achieve.

“In Mombasa, we have seen firsthand how progress is possible when leaders are willing to listen, include and act,” he said. “From economic reforms to youth empowerment, the most transformative policies are those informed by public participation and intergenerational perspectives.”

Nassir stated that the conclave being proposed by Raila Odinga should not be a mere symbolic gesture but a far-reaching and grounded effort that reflects the lived realities of ordinary Kenyans.

He called for the process to revisit the unifying spirit of Kenya’s multiparty heroes, insisting that the time for retreat or political posturing was over.

“This is not a moment for retreat or division. It is a moment for courageous consensus. I join our party leader in urging all Kenyans, regardless of political or social affiliation, to embrace this call for a national reckoning — a sober, inclusive and forward-looking process to heal our country, restore faith in leadership, and secure the future of generations to come.”

He concluded his statement by reminding Kenyans that this moment requires bold action and unity, not apathy or silence.

“We owe it to our history, and we owe it to our children.”

Raila on dialogue

Abdullswamad’s statement comes just hours after the former prime minister renewed his calls for a national dialogue, proposing that the outcomes of such a process be subjected to a public referendum.

Speaking on Monday, July 7, 2025, after cancelling his much-anticipated Saba Saba rally in Kamukunji, Raila proposed the immediate establishment of an intergenerational national conclave to bring together diverse voices from across the country.

The forum, he said, would be tasked with gathering citizen views and proposing irreducible reforms to steer Kenya forward. These reforms, he suggested, should be far-reaching and could form the basis for a national referendum.

“I want the outcomes of the national dialogue to be subjected to a referendum,” Raila said.

Raila’s proposals

The goal of this forum would be to collect ideas and craft a package of irreversible reforms to steer the country towards stability and progress.

One of the key areas he highlighted was police reform.

He called for a renewed commitment to comprehensive changes in policing, specifically focusing on enhancing accountability and transparency in law enforcement, while also improving relations between police officers and the public.

This is seen as a critical step in restoring public trust in the justice system.

“I propose an inclusive intergenerational national conclave to hear our people across all divides and come up with the irreducible reforms and changes necessary to take the country forward. I propose that the country urgently return to the agenda of comprehensive police reforms, focusing on enhancing accountability, transparency and improving police-to-people relations.” Raila said.