Protesters stormed the office of Nandi Governor Stephen Sang on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, demanding accountability and decrying delays in the implementation of capital projects.
The demonstrators, mostly young men and women, gathered at the county offices early in the morning, chanting slogans and carrying placards.
They called for immediate transparency and progress on the promised development projects.
In attempts to calm the irate youth, Governor Sang offered to address them and promised to solve the raised concerns.
This incident came amid a wave of nationwide unrest, with citizens across Kenya taking to the streets to air various grievances, including economic hardships and perceived government inefficiencies.
The youth have vowed to keep pressing for their rights until tangible changes are seen.
Call for Dialogue
On Tuesday, July 9, President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga outlined their approach to addressing the concerns raised by protesting youth, they announced plans for a multi-sectoral engagement forum.
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Speaking on Tuesday, July 9, the leaders emphasized the forum’s importance and called on youth representatives to come forward.
Ruto highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting national unity and addressing Kenya’s pressing issues.
He confirmed that the forum would now include 150 participants, an increase from the initial plan announced by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
“We are proceeding with the multi-sectoral forum, which will include 150 representatives from various stakeholders. Fifty of these will represent Kenya’s youth, while the remaining 100 will come from other sectors,” Ruto explained.
Unrest Youth Protests in the Country
Protests in Kenya have escalated, transitioning from an invasion of parliament to President William Ruto’s refusal to sign the contentious Finance Bill.
The unrest began with demonstrators rejecting Finance bill 2024, storming parliament and even demanding economic reforms.
These protests have made President Ruto to even call for dialogue with the youth, acknowledging their grievances and urging for peaceful negotiations.
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The president’s appeal marks a shift towards seeking a resolution through discussions, aiming to address the socio-economic challenges driving the protests.
“Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly they want nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede and therefore will not sign the bill, and it shall therefore be withdrawn. I have agreed with MP’s that it becomes our collective position,” Ruto said.
Subsequently, Ruto even invited Kenyan Gen Zs for a discussion on a way forward after the violent protests. The meeting which was hosted on X Space on 5th July 2024.
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