He has promised to stop the consistent protests of Gen Z by all means possible.
Churches in Nakuru have differed over the anti-government protests by Generation Z, set to hit their fourth week.
Addressing members of the public at Chebango in Bomet County on Sunday, July 21, 2024, Ruto said the demonstrations have led to loss of property and life and that now enough is enough.
A humbled Head of State admitted in a televised address that he had conceded and that he would not be signing the Finance Bill 2024/25, which had sent the protesters to the streets.
"Going forward, we will protect the nation. Going forward, we will protect the nation. We will protect life, and we will protect property. We will stop the looters, we will stop killers, we will stop anarchy, and we will stop mayhem because Kenya is a democracy and we want a peaceful, stable nation," Ruto said amid cheers from the onlookers.
And now the hard part begins. On Saturday he started with initiating dialogue with Generation Z when he announced the formation of National Multi-Sectoral Forum. In the organisation, umbrella bodies representing youth, civil society groups, religious organisations, professional bodies, academia and student leadership will be involved in addressing the issues raised by the protesters.
The Head of State said that the issues the country is facing should be resolved in a democratic manner, while at the same time stressing the need to stop the demonstrations.
"Our issues are resolved using democratic means. Ama mnasemaje watu wa Kenya. Mnasema tusimamishe hii fujo? Na tusimamishe hii vita? Na tusimamishe hii maandamano ya maafa? Na maandamano ya kuharibu mali ya watu?
This dialogue will also tackle other burning issues the youth have raised such as unemployment, national debt burden and corruption, the latter which has been described as the cancer eating into the soul of the nation.
"I want to promise you that it is going to stop. Enough is enough," he said.
On Friday, Ruto announced budget cuts, earmarking Sh200 billion reduction in the development budget. He proposed austerity measures’ affecting the presidency and state departments including cuts on confidential expenditure, hospitality, vehicle purchases and renovations. He also said he would make fighting corruption his top priority.
Gen Z told off
Ruto also said that the country will not continue with protests, telling Gen Z off after declining his offer for dialogue.
But the President still has a mountain to climb to win the support of the citizens. They expect him to institute more austerity measures which may include stopping planned renovations of State House, State lodges and the Deputy President’s residence and office, all of which are expected to cost billions of shillings.
“Wakasema tuitishe mazungumzo, nimeitisha mazungumzo, wamekataa. Nimewaambia, wanaendelea kusema wao ni faceless, wao ni formless. Mimi nimewaambia, sasa my friends, you know, I have given everybody a chance to say whatever they want.
Kenyans have also questioned the rationale for the huge budgets given to the First Lady, the Deputy President’s spouse and the wife of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
“We cannot continue like this. The country is much more important than any group of people. We must stand together as a nation, protect our nation, and make sure that Kenya is a democracy,” he stated.
They also expect an overhaul of the Cabinet, with non-performing Cabinet Secretaries, some of whom have mismanaged pubic resources kicked out.
After violent protests were witnessed, Ruto bowed to pressure, withdrew the Finance Bill 2024, dissolved the cabinet, and formed a multi-sectoral forum to meet the youth and listen to their concerns.
Despite suppressed protests on Thursday, the now common “Ruto must go” chants are growing louder. Young Kenyans on social media are saying they must seize the moment and pressure Ruto to resign.
However, the youth have not committed themselves to the talks with the state and have continued to advocate for more protests.
The resignation call is among a raft of demands the new movement has issued to the President. Ruto’s delay in addressing their initial grievance -- the Finance Bill 2024 -- gave way to additional grievances.
Recently, Ruto nominated 11 Cabinet Secretaries as some opposition figures declined his call to form a government of national unity.
Critics say that despite giving in on the Finance Bill, Ruto’s government has not shown any signs of goodwill.
With the police facing more criticism over how they have handled demonstrators, they will be under immense spotlight, especially with more planned protests.
The argument is that the Kenya Kwanza administration cannot be trusted to ensure justice for Kenyans killed during the two weeks of anti-tax protests, given that killings by the police have continued even after the President’s call for dialogue.
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