Raila renews calls for referendum after national dialogue

Mabonga Makhanu 07th July, 2025 05:44 PM

Caption:Raila Odinga addressing a press conference after cancelling Kamukunji rally to mark Saba Saba Day.

The former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has renewed calls for a national dialogue and the outcomes to be subjected to a 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.

He also stressed the need to address corruption and impunity through mechanisms that ensure leaders are held accountable. According to the proposals, the conclave should develop sustainable approaches to strengthen systems of transparency and ensure that those in positions of power are not above the law.

Unemployment

Another issue raised was youth unemployment. Raila wants the forum to come up with a long-term strategy that will create job opportunities for young people across the country. This includes expanding both formal and informal employment avenues and ensuring young people are included in national development plans.

“I propose that the forum comes up with a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for addressing youth unemployment and expansion of opportunities for youth in the formal and informal sectors.” He stated.

To ensure the effectiveness of the proposed conclave, he insisted it must be structured with clear objectives and be led by individuals with integrity and a deep understanding of the country’s challenges.

“Such a national conclave must have clear terms of reference and be populated and helmed by the most serious and sober minds in our nation.” He added.