NAIROBI — In a rare moment of political humility, President William Ruto publicly apologised to Kenya’s Gen Z on Wednesday, acknowledging their pain and anger following a series of deadly protests and police crackdowns over the past year.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi, the President urged young Kenyans to put aside bitterness and work towards reconciliation and unity.
“If there’s anything we did wrong to our children, we apologise,” Ruto said. “If we’ve made mistakes, we ask for forgiveness. It’s time to build the relationships that will take our country forward.”
The gesture comes after months of mounting frustration among Kenya’s youth a generation that has found its political voice on social media and in the streets, especially in the wake of the controversial 2024 Finance Bill. The proposed legislation would have increased taxes, fuelling anger in a country already grappling with high unemployment and soaring living costs.
During the protests, government forces were accused of responding with excessive force, including the use of live ammunition. Human rights groups reported dozens of injuries, deaths, and alleged abductions of activists. The events left deep scars on the national psyche — particularly among the young, many of whom said they felt betrayed by a government they had once believed in.
A Call for Bridge-Building
President Ruto’s message was one of bridge-building rather than blame.
“We now have a broad-based government,” he said, referring to his recent overtures to the opposition, including veteran leader Raila Odinga. “We’re bringing more people together citizens from across the divide to work for the good of the country.”
He quoted Scripture to underscore his message: “How good and pleasant it is when brethren live together in unity.”
But for many young Kenyans, words may not be enough. They are still waiting for accountability and concrete action on police conduct, economic reform, and meaningful youth representation in policymaking.
‘Respect Flows Both Ways’
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also addressed the generational divide, appealing for mutual respect between young and old.
“No one generation is more important than the other,” he said. “We must hear them, respect them, and apologise when we are wrong. But we also ask them to respect their elders not just because of age, but because there are things only life experience can teach.”
Kindiki acknowledged the frustrations of a younger generation that has often felt shut out of decision-making. Still, he insisted that the institutions of authority deserve a measure of respect.
“Our children are adults,” he said. “Let’s listen to them. But we ask, respectfully, that they listen too and be open to mentorship and guidance.”
A Wounded Generation
The remarks come at a time when trust between Kenya’s youth and its leaders is at a low point. Many in Gen Z digital natives raised on bold ideals and global conversations have become disillusioned with the pace of reform and the government’s handling of dissent.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, have documented cases of excessive force and have called for independent investigations into the state’s handling of protests.
“Apologies are important,” said one Nairobi-based youth activist who asked not to be named. “But we need more than that. We need justice for the victims, and we need to be heard in decisions that affect our future.”
Whether Ruto’s apology marks a genuine turning point remains to be seen. But for now, it’s a signal that the government is at least trying to acknowledge the weight of the moment and the voices it can no longer ignore.
