Government seems unbothered over what is happening, say Gen Z

Anti-Finance bill protestors demonstrate along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi's CBD on June 26. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]. President William Ruto's interview broadcast live on television on Sunday has sparked various reactions from Generation Z. The Standard conducted interviews and sampled views from Gen Zs across various platforms including X, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram among other platforms. The youth mobilized and rallied around the hashtag #RutoMustGo to express their disappointment over the president's remarks on a number of issues. The debate seems to have morphed from what started as a clarion call to reject the contentious Finance Bill 2024, to the push to oust the president. Referring to a question asked about a 12-year-old boy who died after he was shot in Rongai, some Gen Zs expressed their anger at how the president appeared to be in the dark. In a viral Tiktok video, Duchess, a content creator, said it was wrong for the president to question whether the boy was still alive on national television. "He is the Head of State. He should be on top of things," she noted. The youth claim that the same government which is supposed to look out for them has neglected them and seems unbothered by what is happening in the country. According to Gabriel Stanley, a student at Mount Kenya University, President Ruto seems not to have the peoples' interests at heart. He further stated that the president seems clueless on what is happening in the country and its people. "Watching the round table interview on Sunday and hearing the president's responses towards the questions asked has only propelled us to come out in larger numbers on Tuesday (today). The only slogan we will sing during the protests will be 'Ruto must go'." Some youth said the president appeared to be more concerned with the loss and damage of property than human life. Leslie Christine, a student, said the president looked unprepared for the interview. "An interview with the president is usually scheduled hence giving him time to prepare beforehand. That he was not even aware of the 12-year old boy's death just shows unpreparedness and his unawareness of what is going on in the country," said Leslie. Sylvia Pereruan, a student at United States International University (USIU), said one of her close friends was shot outside Parliament during the anti-tax protests last week. "I didn't read a scintilla of remorse in the president for the lives lost, including my friend's," said Sylvia. "This government is not taking accountability for what it has done." According to Kylie Jenny, the interview sparked more anger among Kenyans as was evidently witnessed on X and other online platforms. Jenny says it would have been better to stay quiet on some controversial issues instead of igniting a fire. "He just fueled anger. X had been calm until the interview," she said.

Government seems unbothered over what is happening, say Gen Z

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Government seems unbothered over what is happening, say Gen Z

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