President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, has weighed in on the youth-led protests that have rocked the country over the past month, urging the government to listen to the voices of Gen Z.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 1, Charlene called for meaningful dialogue, accountability, and reforms that genuinely reflect the concerns of young Kenyans.
“The way I see it, the conversation is no longer about having a seat at the table, but a place in each other’s hearts,” she stated.
Charlene Ruto Asks Govt to Rethink Approach to Gen Z Concerns
She went on to mention that the youth are looking for connection, a platform to voice their concerns, mentorship, and to be part of the solution.
“As I have intentionally met, deeply engaged, and heavily invested in the young people as a collective for the last 3 years, I have quickly learnt that young people are actually looking for connection, not conflict,” she said.
“They are looking for a platform, not destruction; they are looking for mentorship, not violence; and they want to be part of the solution, not the problem!”
Charlene stressed that no nation could thrive by promoting divisions whether generational, tribal, or racial.
She warned against confusing unity with destructive behaviors, noting that peer pressure, mob mentality, hate raids (“kusalimia watu”), and riots do not constitute true unity.
“How do we convert our passion to policy, our ideas to tangible plans, our energy for riots to reform-based engagements, from shouting to constructive dialogue, and intense emotions into patriotism?” she posed.
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Charlene Ruto acknowledged that Gen Z and the government have diverse voices, different opinions, and dynamic perspectives but are one People.
Her comments come amid nationwide calls for government accountability and systemic reforms, largely driven by Gen Z.
Young Kenyans across the country took to the streets on Wednesday, June 25, to commemorate lives lost during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
The demonstrations, largely peaceful, were met with a heavy police response, including tear gas and water cannon used to disperse the crowds.
According to Amnesty International, at least 19 protesters were killed and over 500 injured—most of them by gunfire.
Ruto on June 25 Protests
President Ruto said the Wednesday protests were not peaceful and termed them a “calculated chaos, violence, economic sabotage and destruction”.
“Kenya is a country government by the rule of law and the government will not allow such acts to destroy lives and livelihoods,” Ruto stated.
“The political actors who think they can exploit the genuine aspirations of young people to cause chaos, violence and destruction, the wheels of justice will find you, deal with you, firmly, decisively within the full latter of the war.”
Also Read: Ruto Advises Gen Z & Politicians Who Want to Remove Him from Power
The first wave of Gen Z-led protests began last year in opposition to Finance Bill 2024 which had introduced punitive taxes.
However, the movement has since grown into a broader expression of frustration over economic hardship, police brutality, abductions, inequality, and unfulfilled promises by President William Ruto, who came to power in 2022 on a platform of social reform and economic relief.
Many young people now say those promises have not translated into meaningful change, with the cost of living still high and opportunities for employment and advancement scarce.
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