President William Ruto has addressed the ongoing protests by Kenyan youths against the Finance Bill 2024. Speaking in Nyahururu on Sunday, Ruto expressed pride in the young people for stepping forward in a tribeless and peaceful manner to make their voices heard.
He acknowledged that their actions are part of their democratic duty and assured that his administration will engage with them regarding their concerns. The President emphasized that, in collaboration with the youth, his government will work towards building a better country.
“Our young people have stepped forward to engage in the affairs of their country. They have done a democratic duty to stand and be recognized and I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation with you so that we can identify your issues and we can work together as a nation and streamline your issues.
“I am very proud of our young people. They have stepped forward tribeless, they have stepped forward peacefully and I want to tell them we are going to engage so that together we can build a better nation,” Ruto said.
“What I want to encourage them is that we are concerned about their issues.”
President William Ruto announced that in the coming financial year, funds have been allocated to create employment opportunities for the youth and to provide access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and university education. His remarks followed countrywide demonstrations by Kenyan Gen Zs against the “punitive” Finance Bill 2024. President Ruto, along with Deputy
President Rigathi Gachagua, attended a church service at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Diocese of Nyahururu, which included the Consecration and Enthronement of Rev. Maj. Samson Mburu Gachathi as the 3rd Bishop of the Diocese.
Last week, Gen Zs across Kenya staged protests calling for the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024 due to its punitive taxes. The demonstrations began in Nairobi on Tuesday and continued in Mombasa on Wednesday.
By Thursday, protests had spread to various parts of the country, including Kisii, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Nanyuki. Despite these protests, the Finance Bill was passed by the National Assembly with 204 Members of Parliament voting in favor and 105 voting against it.
