The announcement comes amidst pressure from Gen Z online, who have for several days demanded that the Head of State have a conversation with them via X space.
President William Ruto has given the Kenyan youth a chance to be heard through an invitation to a direct dialogue via X (Twitter) Space on Thursday, July 4, or Friday, July 5 in a bid to improve his communication with the young people, for which his administration has been largely criticised of.
The announcement comes amidst pressure from Gen Z online, who have for several days demanded that the Head of State have a conversation with them via X space.
Ruto’s administration has faced a turbulent two weeks, with young Kenyans time and again demanding his resignation. In response, the President is now seeking to open his office to the youth, whom he has been accused of failing to engage adequately.
In an earlier roundtable interview with journalists from mainstream media houses on Sunday, June 30, the President revealed that he was open to having a conversation with the youth through the social media forum, one that has pulled in hundreds of thousands of Kenyans of late.
President William Ruto during a conversation with journalists from digital media outlets at State House, Nairobi on June 30, 2024. /PHOTO
“I hear the young people are saying they don’t want a multisectoral forum. Maybe we should have an engagement with the President on X. I’m open to having an engagement with the young people on a forum they are comfortable with. If they want me to engage with them on X, I will be there,” Ruto declared.
Speaking during a candid round table interview with digital media at State House, Nairobi thereafter, Ruto admitted his shortcomings in engaging with young Kenyans, hence the suggestion of the X Space forum.
“Tell me who among you is going to set up the X Space and either Thursday or Friday, I will be there. I want us to discuss taxation, unemployment, corruption, and all issues,” he said.
The X Space platform has recently been a hotbed of activity, with the youth using it to voice their grievances and demand accountability from the President.
This dialogue invitation comes as Ruto attempts to rescue his administration’s credibility following widespread protests and calls for his resignation.
A recently-released report derived from a survey carried out by Belva Digital, a marketing technology company based in Kenya, which was monitoring the conversation on digital media based on the #RejectFinanceBill protests, both offline and online, showed that 18.7 percent of Kenyan users aired positive comments on Ruto compared to 57.3 percent who aired negative comments on him. 23.9 percent were neutral.
Ruto has been on the hot seat for the wrong reasons since the protests began, with remarks hinting at the government engaging the country’s Gen Zs on Sunday, June 23 doing little to de-escalate the protests.
His address on Tuesday night, June 25 after the anti-Finance Bill protests turned chaotic served to intensify criticism against him, particularly since he stated that “legitimate” protests against his policies had been “hijacked by a group of organised criminals,” and that his government would use all means at its disposal to prevent a repeat of the violence – “at whatever cost”.
Now, the President’s willingness to engage directly with the youth signifies a significant shift in his approach to governance. He has shown an understanding of the importance of addressing the youth’s concerns comprehensively.
“I have young people in the house, and I know some of their concerns,” he said, acknowledging the need for a more inclusive dialogue.
President William Ruto meets leaders of the African Independent Pentecostal Church Africa at State House Nairobi on June 29, 2024. /PCS