Nation in Mourning: Youths Call for Justice as President Ruto Prepares for Dialogue
By Kelvin Kimuge
As Kenya grapples with a wave of grief and unrest, the nation remains deeply divided in the wake of the tragic deaths resulting from the recent Gen-Z anti-protest against the controversial 2024/2025 Finance Bill.
Yesterday, President William Ruto expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with the youth and other government stakeholders, but the President’s overture comes at a time when the country is mourning the loss of young lives and grappling with a sense of betrayal.
Funeral services are being held across the country for those who lost their lives during the protests. Families of the deceased have shown a notable disinterest in the President’s call for negotiations, expressing a preference for justice and compensation over dialogue. At the heart of their demands are calls for the government to take responsibility for the violence and to provide financial support for the families of the victims as well as for those injured and undergoing intensive care.
Many youths and social media influencers have turned out in large numbers to attend the funerals, using the occasion to show solidarity with the bereaved families and to voice their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation. The mood at these gatherings has been one of both mourning and defiance, with attendees demanding accountability and a commitment from the government to address the issues at hand.
In addition to the outcry over the finance bill and the protest violence, there is growing frustration directed towards veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga. Many youths have expressed disappointment in Odinga’s recent meeting with President Ruto regarding the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) bill. The consensus among the youth is that Odinga’s discussions with Ruto were driven more by personal political ambitions rather than a genuine effort to address their grievances.
As the day approaches for President Ruto’s scheduled meeting with youth representatives, the atmosphere remains tense. The ongoing funerals and widespread public demonstrations underscore the depth of the discontent felt by many young Kenyans. The President’s proposed dialogue is seen by some as too little, too late, given the immediate and pressing demands for justice and compensation.
With more funerals being held daily, the call for the government to own up to its mistakes and provide support for those affected by the recent unrest continues to grow louder. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the President’s efforts to engage with the youth can quell the rising discontent or if the chasm between the government and its citizens will only deepen.
As the nation stands at this crossroads, the eyes of both the public and international observers are focused on whether President Ruto can bridge the gap between state authority and the outraged youth or if Kenya’s current crisis will evolve into a more entrenched conflict.
Post Author
