President William Ruto has announced plans to organize a trust summit in Nairobi months after the anti-government protests led by the Gen Z youth.
Speaking in the Launch of Kenya’s 5th National Action Plan (NAP 5) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) stated, Ruto committed to ensuring openness in his administration by allowing criticism from various players.
He acknowledged the existent of a trust deficit from members of the public and promised to organize the first Trust Summit to evaluate ways of closing the gap in trust between the government and the citizens.
President Ruto revealed that the proposed inaugural Trust Summit, scheduled for March 2025 in Nairobi, will bring together global leaders to address the critical issue of trust in the digital age.
Discussions in the summit, according to State House, will focus on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), transparency in governance, and restoring public trust in institutions.
Trust Gap Between Government and Kenyans
During the launch, President Ruto addressed the mistrust issue that he said has been manifested from the Kenyans especially the young Kenyans movement.
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“There is a trust deficit and gap,” President Ruto stated.
“I want to welcome you and representatives from the international community to a trust summit here in Nairobi, the first one in the first quarter of next year, so that we can evaluate what we need to do to close the trust gap between government and citizens.”
The Gen Z-led protests in Kenya, dubbed the #OccupyParliament, took place in June and July 2024. These protests were sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with the Finance Bill 2024, which many felt would exacerbate economic inequalities.
On June 25, 2024, the protests reached a peak when demonstrators stormed the parliament. The situation escalated as security forces responded with force, resulting in several casualties. The protests highlighted the frustrations of young Kenyans with the government’s policies and their demand for better governance and transparency.
Ruto on Inclusive Governance
One of the key themes of the of Kenya’s 5th National Action Plan (NAP 5) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) touches on inclusivity. The president stated that inclusive governance ensures that marginalized communities and young people have a voice in governance processes.
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He added that the plan includes measures to enhance public participation in decision-making and creation of more accessible platforms for citizen engagement.
President Ruto reiterated his administration’s focus on ensuring that all Kenyans can participate in the governance process and hold leaders accountable.
President Ruto has assured the public of his commitment to inclusive governance. In his speech, he stated, “It is our collective responsibility as Kenyans to ensure that Kenya succeeds. It is not solely the president’s duty but the duty of every Kenyan for us to succeed because success belongs to everyone. I also want to assure all stakeholders that the government I lead will continue to be open.”
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