Kipsigis Community Clans Secretary General Joel Kimetto urged Gen Zs nationwide to give President William Ruto time to address their concerns. Kimetto emphasized that ongoing demonstrations, despite the president’s willingness to engage in dialogue, could impede national development.
In a telephone interview with the Star, Kimetto encouraged Gen Z youth to participate in the dialogue as requested by the president to address national issues. He acknowledged the peaceful nature of some demonstrations in Kericho, though there were reports of looting and vandalism in the county.
Representing approximately 200 Kipsigis clans, Kimetto asked the youth in Kericho to cease further demonstrations and relay this message to their peers across the country. He expressed concern that the Gen Z protests had taken on dangerous political dimensions, potentially threatening the country’s development and security.
Kimetto also called on the police to prioritize the safety of demonstrators by using teargas instead of live bullets, noting that lives lost due to police violence cannot be recovered.