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Kisia outlines conditions to be met before Raila Odinga’s proposed conclave proceeds

Kisia outlines conditions to be met before Raila Odinga’s proposed conclave proceeds
An image of Philip Kisia. PHOTO// @Kisia_Westlands/X

Former Nairobi Town Clerk and governance expert Philip Kisia has now come out to give conditions and outline what must be put in place if any form of conclave or national dialogue—as suggested by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga—is to take place.

While speaking during a podcast aired on Friday, July 12, 2025, Kisia said that Raila has finally awakened from his slumber, albeit very late. He emphasised that if there is to be any form of dialogue, then honesty must be considered and placed on the table, and sincerity must also be taken into account.

He went on to add that without these two—alongside a firm commitment to deliver on the outcomes of the said conclave—there is a risk of elite capture and state capture, as has been witnessed in the past.

“They are two things to be considered: if we were to have any form of dialogue, honesty must be put on the table and sincerity must be put on the table, because without those and commitment to delivering on the outputs, or actioning on the outputs, otherwise there is a total risk of elite and state capture,” he stated.

Kisia further stated that there must be safeguards in place to ensure that the discussions are structured, meaningful, and capable of delivering the desired results.

State capture

According to him, elites such as Raila and those representing the status quo are afraid of real change because once the lives of ordinary Kenyans are transformed, they will no longer have the opportunity to exploit them—something that has happened in the past where Kenyans were given as little as Ksh500 to sing praises for politicians.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressing the press in Nairobi on July 7, 2025. PHOTO/Emmanuel Wanson
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressing the press in Nairobi on July 7, 2025. PHOTO/Emmanuel Wanson

“The first question we must ask ourselves is what safeguards have we put in place that will ensure that these discussions are structured, are meaningful and will deliver desired results, avoid state capture and avoid being led by elites? Because these people have only one agenda; they are all the same status quo; they are all the same; they don’t want change.” He added.

He acknowledged the need for national dialogue but insisted that the agenda must be driven by the majority—specifically the youth who have been on the streets demanding change—and not by legacy politicians.

“We need discussions but with a very, very clear agenda that is majority-driven; the majority in this case are the youth.” He concluded

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