Opposition leader Raila Odinga has faulted the government for failing to implement the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, saying this inaction directly contributed to the recent Gen Z-led protests that rocked the country.

Speaking during an interview on NTV, Raila said the report, which was the product of months-long mediation following the 2023 Azimio demonstrations, contained clear proposals that could have addressed public frustrations, particularly those of the youth.

“The Gen Z protests happened because the NADCO report wasn’t implemented. Had it been acted upon earlier, we would not have ended up where we did, because the issues raised by the youth were very similar to those we raised in 2023,” he said.

Raila recalled that in 2023, Azimio staged protests over the disputed 2022 presidential election results, high cost of living, and rampant corruption, all of which featured again in the recent youth-led demonstrations.

“We pressed for the server to be opened after we accessed it and found results that told a completely different story from what was announced by Wafula Chebukati. We also spoke about the cost of living and corruption. Unfortunately, our protests were met with violence, and we lost about 70 people,” he said.

Mediation

Following widespread unrest, a mediation effort led by international partners resulted in the creation of the NADCO taskforce, co-chaired by Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung’wah.

Its outcome was a report agreed upon by both the government and opposition, which was later passed by Parliament.

“We agreed that the NADCO report needed to be implemented. It was tabled in Parliament, faced delays, but eventually passed. However, before it could be implemented, Gen Z hit the streets in 2024,” Odinga said.

He said the new generation of protesters went a step further than Azimio did, storming Parliament and the Judiciary, and attempting to access State House, actions that triggered a military response.

“They overwhelmed the police, prompting the government to deploy the military without parliamentary approval, which was illegal. Parliament was coerced to retroactively approve the deployment. It was a dangerous moment for the country. We were on the brink of military takeover,” he said.

Uhuru's call from US

Raila  also revealed that former president Uhuru Kenyatta called him from the United States at the height of the protests and urged him to speak with President Ruto to prevent the country from descending into chaos.

“Uhuru told me, ‘Although I know you don’t want to talk to Ruto, for the sake of the country, you need to find a way.’ I had issued a statement urging the President to stop the brutality. Eventually, Ruto reached out to me,” he said.

He said that during the meeting, he told the President that the crisis stemmed from his failure to act on the NADCO report.

Rejected by Gen Z

Raila noted that Ruto’s later attempt to convene a national dialogue was rejected by the youth, who felt the government already knew the solutions it needed to implement.

“When Ruto said he would dissolve the Cabinet and not sign the Finance Bill, that deflated the protests. After that, he announced plans to form a consensus government. We said we did not want to join the government before a national conversation took place. Eventually, Ruto appointed half a Cabinet,” he said.

He added that Azimio, after internal discussions, allowed non-Kenya Kwanza experts to join the government to prevent the country from slipping into anarchy.

“At that point, the country was in a stalemate. Streets were inaccessible, and there was no functional government. We risked falling into anarchy like Somalia. That’s why the decision was taken to allow experts from our side to help,” he explained.

Broad-based government

When asked whether joining the government was the solution to the stalled NADCO agenda, Raila said it was not. He stressed that the priority was to restore order and functionality in government.

“No. What I’m saying is that the country was in crisis. It needed a functioning government to move forward.”

He clarified that ODM only formally joined a broad-based government after agreeing to a 10-point agenda, which reflected the NADCO report’s contents.

“There’s no difference. The 10-point agenda just spelt out the same contentious issues more clearly. We agreed to track their implementation. A task force has been formed and a report will be issued soon,” he said.

On compensation for Gen Z protesters who were killed during the 2024 demonstrations, Odinga said plans are underway.

“We have said compensation must happen. Soon, you’ll see action on this.”

Asked why there is no specific allocation for compensation in the 2025/26 budget, Odinga responded:

“There’s always provision of contingencies in the budget. The contingency fund is available. Just hold your horses.”