NAIROBI, Kenya – Following a wave of protests led by Kenyan Gen Zs against a controversial finance bill, President William Ruto has announced a plan for dialogue aimed at addressing the concerns raised by the youth.
Ruto has proposed the formation of a national multi-sectoral forum to facilitate these discussions, suggesting that each group nominate two members to form a national steering committee.
The president’s move has elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans, with opinions sharply divided across the nation.
While some view the proposal as a step towards constructive dialogue, others perceive it as an ineffective measure designed to appease the youth without yielding tangible results.
Several prominent figures have voiced their objections to the proposed forum.
Radio presenter Maina Kageni took to his X page to argue that any meaningful dialogue must occur online, where the protests originally gained momentum.
“This entire thing started online…. Any dialogue or conversation or discussion or deliberation or whatever…. MUST be done online, where young Kenyans, the true owners of this narrative, the owners of this country can individually have their opinion heard….. anything else, apana…,” Kageni wrote.
Renowned lawyer Wahome Thuku also criticized the plan, cautioning Gen Zs against allowing themselves to be represented in what he termed an “amorphous committee.”
“GEN Zs. You are a specific group, defined by age set and nothing else. You are united by similar interests, desires, challenges, aspirations, motivations, etc. Don’t allow yourselves to be grouped and asked to appoint leaders to some amorphous committee or commission. Unless you want to be finished or to finish yourselves,” Thuku stated.
Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba drew parallels between the current situation and previous attempts at national dialogue that she believes failed to deliver results.
“After the conclusion of the 2022 General Elections Baba and his Azimio brigades went to the streets on demands for inclusion in Government; ‘they’ conceded. A national dialogue committee (NADCO) was formed and held the national dialogue sessions live on camera where Kenyans presented their opinions and suggestions. Baba backed down; relaxed and waited, it’s now over a year; the report was neither debated nor adopted in parliament, it’s gathering dust on the shelves,” Wamuchomba wrote on her X account.
She expressed skepticism about the efficacy of the proposed multi-sectoral committee, suggesting it might be a tactic to buy time and dissipate the momentum of the youth protests.
“Multi-sectoral committee will be another theatric to buy time and scatter the already compounding voice of the disappointed youth of Kenya. It’s my opinion that this will be another round of pounding water in a pot. No matter what energy is inputted, no Ugali can come out of it,” Wamuchomba said.
