Ruto, Kenya Kwanza leaders change tune, call for dialogue with Gen Z over protests

On Sunday, President William Ruto said that he was proud the young people had stepped forward tribeless and peacefully to be counted as he expressed readiness to engage them in issues affecting the country.

He said what they have done is their democratic duty and his administration will engage them on their concerns.

"Our young people have stepped forward to engage in the affairs of their country. They have done a democratic duty to stand and be recognised and I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation with you so that we can identify your issues and we can work together as a nation and streamline your issues," he said.

"I am very proud of our young people. They have stepped forward tribeless, they have stepped forward peacefully and I want to tell them we are going to engage so that together we can build a better nation," Ruto said.

In a move to calm the youths who have sustained protests against the contentious Finance Bill, 2024, the Head of State said he will talk with them to understand their grievances.

"And I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation so that we can identify your issues and work together as a nation," Ruto said.

United Democratic Alliance Secretary-General Cleophas Malala said he was going to organise a meeting between the President and Gen Z.

"Those youths have a point. My personal view is that we respect them and listen to them. As the Secretary General of UDA I will organize a meeting for them to meet the President," he said.

Malala cautioned that the youths have a right to demonstrate and that the police should not beat or kill them.

Mombasa residents protest against the Finance Bill, 2024 on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah who had earlier said that the 'occupy parliament' protestors were idlers being misused by some selfish politicians also appeared to change his tune.

On Sunday, the Kikuyu MP congratulated Gen Z for participating in peaceful protests against the Finance Bill, 2024.

"Our Gen Z have rallied around issues of concern rather than tribe or ethnicity. This is great for our nation. The Gen Z's are setting an example that all leaders should aspire to follow," Ichung'wa said.

The Chairperson of the Finance and Planning Committee at the National Assembly on Monday showered Gen Z with praises noting that they had raised important issues during their protests.

“Let us give credit to where Gen Z has taken us. They are raising very pertinent matters but we need to guide them on how that needs to be done in the budget-making process,” he said.

Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi also appeared to make a U-Turn after the 'Occupy Parliament' demos.

Previously, he had disregarded the protests led by the youth, asserting that Generation Z did not grasp the details of the Bill.

"Niliona hao Gen Z, hata mtoto wangu pengine alikuwa hapo, lakini hawaelewi hii Finance Bill," Sudi said last week.

#OccupyParliament protestors outside the Nation Centre in Nairobi CBD on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

However on Sunday during a fundraiser at Yamumbi PCEA church in Eldoret, the UDA MP said the young people have genuine concerns and should be heard, claiming he even reached out to President William Ruto on the same.

"These youth are a good generation; they are not tribalistic, they do not care where you are from but have united to fight for their issues. I have spoken to the President and told him he needs to listen to the youth," he said.

Last week, the youths now termed held a three-day protest to push the MPs to reject the controversial Bill.

The protests started in Nairobi on Tuesday and in Mombasa on Wednesday.

On Thursday, other counties joined including President Ruto's Uasin Gishu backyard, to protest against the Bill.

Other counties were Isiolo, Kisii, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Meru and Laikipia counties.

The protesters vowed to continue with the protests this week.