Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has suggested that Kenyans hold what he describes as an “inter-generational conclave” to reflect on the challenges facing the country at the moment and therein seek to provide solutions. 

Raila’s political opponents – mainly from his former political tavern, Azimio la Umoja, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua – have flatly rejected the proposal of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), claiming that it is a waste of time and a diversionary tactic from their main agenda. 

The most serious hurdle in the country now, they posit, is how to remove President William Ruto from power, though there is no concurrence on how, with some pushing for his ouster through the ballot and others agitating for other means before the 2027 constitutionally stipulated timeline. 

Raila’s proposal may not be the best in town, but it certainly makes a lot of sense. 

If anything, it is the only option on the table with no countering view. I am not entirely supportive of Raila’s conclave approach.

But I agree that Kenyans need to talk themselves out of the myriad woes presently encompassing the nation. 

Time is overdue for the country to converge under the unifying umbrella of the ‘Kenya We Want’ theme. 

Kenya is today teetering on the edge of an explosion. The country is pregnant with hate, anger, hunger, poverty, anxiety, tension, unemployment, corruption, ethnic frictions, insecurity and general despair. 

All these seamy tides portend a major threat to the peace, stability and cohesion that Kenya so desperately deserves in the days ahead. 

To be forewarned is to be forewarned. Kenya is not canoeing well. We are not sitting pretty. Danger lurks all over, all the time. 

The problems afflicting Kenya today are many and diverse. They cannot be solved through violence, insults, arrogance, ethnic bigotry, chest-thumping, ridicule, snubbing, mockery, sabotage or hubris. 

Only constructive dialogue can provide the answer. Which is why that is the path for Kenya to pursue at the moment if we seek to avert further divisions, confrontations and conflicts in future. 

My prescription is that now is the time for Kenya to hold the ‘Kenya We Want’ convention to have a deep and constructive engagement over what is ailing our country. 

Kenya has previously had such fora. Those engagements led to the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi. 

The convention gave birth to what was later to be known as the Bomas Draft and eventually the 2010 Constitution, which provides the pillars that Kenya stands on today. 

Unfortunately, sections of the Bomas Draft were interfered with at both the Kilifi and Naivasha brainstorming sessions, leading to the crevices that protrude so massively and painfully today. 

Indeed, there were some attempts in 2021 to spruce up the current Constitution through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). 

However, the initiative hit a cul-de-sac when the Judiciary rendered a verdict declaring the process through which the exercise was undertaken as unconstitutional. 

Last year, the political class gravitating around the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalitions came up with the intra-parliamentary National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), which compiled a report that is still a subject of debate both inside and out of the Legislature. 

That back-and-forth is not good for Kenya. We must clear all the cobwebs that stand in our way for national unity. 

We can only do this through constructive dialogue. Convening a ‘Kenya We Want’ forum is one such way of confronting the challenges that face us today. 

At a ‘Kenya We Want’ caucusing, we have to identify all the issues that divide us and explore those that unite us. 

The issues that have driven sections of our society to the streets to protest are a result of the delay in filling the holes in our constitutional set-up since 2010. 

It is on this basis that I strongly associated with Raila’s sentiments on a national dialogue. 

I am not for an inter-generational conclave as floated by the former premier. I posit that we need an all-inclusive convention to address the hurdles the country faces from an all-around perspective. 

The responsibility to drive the ‘Kenya We Want’ agenda squarely lies at the feet of President Ruto. 

The President must step up and steward this agenda vigorously, faithfully and honestly. 

Kenya is at the threshold of massive transformation. The reforms the country requires today can only be achieved if Ruto sticks out his neck to ensure that they happen. 

Ruto should pick from Raila’s suggestion and commit to drive the ‘Kenya We Want’ agenda. 

Laying the foundation for progressive reforms in Kenya should rank as Ruto’s prime agenda. 

Now is the time for Ruto to pounce on the stage as a Statesman and elect to push that which unites Kenyans and discard that which divides them. 

The writer is a Revise Editor with People Daily