Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga Should Step Aside for Gen Z to Lead Us to Canaan

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga should step aside and let the younger generation, popularly known as Gen Z, lead us to Canaan.

For the past two weeks, young people have been organizing major protests against the 2024 Finance Bill.

Today, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, MPs will be voting on the bill for the final time, and it will be clear whether it passes or fails.

In response, young people are expected to organize massive protests in various cities across the country to pressure MPs not to pass the controversial bill, which proposes tax increases.

Since the country gained independence, the family of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga has been known for leading resistance against the government.

Jaramogi fought for the rights of citizens from the colonial era until his death in 1994.

After fighting for and securing Kenya’s independence, the late Oginga faced persecution from the regimes of President Jomo Kenyatta and President Daniel Arap Moi.

He was harassed to the point of being placed under house arrest multiple times, and his family was also targeted, with Raila spending nine years in prison.

Despite his efforts to fight for justice, Jaramogi died without enjoying the fruits of his labor, while those who persecuted him continued to benefit from the citizens’ hard work.

Since his father’s death, Raila Odinga, now the leader of ODM, has been the face of opposition in the country but has repeatedly lost elections under suspicious circumstances.

More than once, the former Prime Minister and his supporters have taken to the streets to protest after general elections.

Ironically, these protests have often been marred by ethnic tensions, with Raila’s community being labeled as troublemakers.

Time and again, the ODM leader has stood up for citizens, only to be met with tear gas and police brutality against his supporters.

These struggles have been enough, and the dreams and aspirations of this opposition stalwart will be fulfilled through the current generation of Gen Z, who are now leading the resistance against the government.

I believe these young people will be able to take Kenyans to Canaan, a place Raila could not reach.

Even in the Bible, Moses endured suffering with the Israelites on a journey full of challenges but did not reach Canaan.

Like Moses, Raila was shown Canaan, though he might not reach it, but this Gen Z generation has shown that there is a new awakening in the fight for the country’s interests.

This new youth awakening should not be ignored, and the government should listen to the cries of these young people and fulfill the promises made to citizens.

This generation is not like Raila, whose methods of organizing protests were predictable, allowing the police to suppress his supporters on orders from those in power.

In contrast, these Gen Z youth are peaceful and use technology to express their anger against the current administration.

Therefore, Raila should remain silent and let the youth continue their resistance in their own way.

If he speaks out, he risks disrupting their efforts and creating the impression that he is collaborating with them.

Raila’s era of leading protests is over, and now it is time for the youth to take charge and ensure that citizens get their rights.

Perhaps historically, this generation is destined to deliver Kenyans from the chains of tribalism, corruption, and poor governance.