President Ruto Issues Stern Warning to Gen Z Protesters

President William Ruto has vowed to “protect the nation” and declared that he had given ample opportunities for all voices to be heard.

In his speech during a church service in Bomet County, President Ruto issued a stern warning to Generation Zoomers (Gen Z), asserting that “enough is enough.”

The President highlighted his efforts to address the demands of protesters, including his decision to reject the Finance Bill, 2024. Despite these concessions, protests have continued unabated. “I dropped the Finance Bill, I called them to come to the table and talk to me, they refused and asked me to go to X. I went there but they ran away,” Ruto said. “I have called them for talks but they have refused, saying they are faceless and formless.”

In an effort to engage the youth in dialogue, President Ruto had invited young people to nominate 50 representatives for a multi-sectoral forum that was scheduled to start last Monday. However, the forum was delayed as various sectors reportedly failed to submit names of nominees. The forum aimed to find solutions to the issues raised by the protesters and other pressing national concerns.

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President Ruto made it clear that the current situation cannot continue. “I have told them, my friends, it must now come to an end. I have given a chance to everybody to say whatever they want. It can’t continue like this. The country is more important than any group of people. We must stand together as a nation and protect our nation,” he emphasized.

The President pledged to take strong measures to ensure national stability. “Going forward, we will protect the nation, we will protect lives, we will protect property, stop the looters, stop the killers, stop mayhem because Kenya is a democracy and we want a stable nation,” he stated.

President Ruto also criticized the protesters and their leaders for failing to provide a clear plan or end game following the destruction of property and loss of lives. “I want to promise you that it is going to stop. Enough is enough,” he told the public gathered outside the church.

This latest warning marks President Ruto’s most severe response since the demonstrations began in June. The announcement comes just days after the President made significant changes in his Cabinet, including reinstating Kithure Kindiki as Interior CS, and reorganizing the police command in response to ongoing protests. Protesters have indicated they plan to continue demonstrating this week.