From Protests To Progress: A Path To Conversation

On the evening of Sunday June 30, 2024, the highly anticipated Presidential Roundtable, was conducted where the head of state was questioned on matters that have been the pebble in the shoes of many citizens.

President William Ruto had to contend with offering direct responses to multiple questions regarding the deaths of several Kenyans in the past anti-Finance Bill protests, extravagance in government expenditure, as well as his stand on conducting a fruitful conversation with the youth people.

In the past weekend, the government called to set up a National Multi-Sectoral Forum (NMSF) comprising a 100 member team to represent and air the concerns of the youth.

President William Ruto advised the youth to embrace peace after he bowed to their demands. He asserted that the government has heard their concerns and was willing to engage in a national dialogue.

A section of Kenyans were disgruntled by this move, however.

Why so?

It is important to look at the composition of the team and their responsibilities.

Speaking at Statehouse in a meeting with 96 bishops, the head of state directed for the setting up of a National Steering Committee (NSC) that will comprise stakeholders from members of religious communities, student leadership, council of governors and other bodies to allay the concerns of the young people.

“The proposed youth and multi-sectoral forums will give the youth and other stakeholders a platform to discuss these and other national economic challenges that face our country,” President Ruto said.

The matters will also include those on job opportunities, debt repayment, anti-corruption and accountability measures.

President Ruto shared that the Forum will make tours in all 47 counties for participatory talks with citizens at every administrative unit level.

“Each umbrella body is requested to nominate two representatives of either gender for consideration of the NSC,” said the head of Public Service adding that nominations should be submitted on or before July 7, 2024.

As per the letter issued on Saturday June 29, by the chief of staff Felix Koskei, the body will be mandated with the task of “providing the framework, modalities, agenda and timelines for national matters raised by the youth.”

Kenyans on X (KOX) were not too quick to embrace the president’s move. Many were irate as they did not wish to be grouped into leaders who may be swayed by egregious political meddling. 

“The exploitation of youth protests by politicians puts the future of the nation at risk, as it diverts attention from critical socio-economic issues.” @SamKalyz wrote on X.

Conversations around current topics have mostly been conducted through social media, particularly on X and TikTok where thousands of Kenyans, both within and outside the country, have been able to air their disillusionment.

Many urged the government to consider using digital social media to get an understanding of the root of their concerns.

“Use your forums to discuss and agree or disagree on the issues you have. You can invite the entire cabinet to come there and listen and take notes…give them practical solutions but let them go and discuss them in those committees and solve them,” said Wahome Thuku on X.

Popular radio host, Maina Kageni, also affirmed that the dialogue “must be done online, where young Kenyans, the true owners of this narrative and the owners of this country, can individually have their opinions heard.”

This is a critical bridge to navigate especially as many believe that leveraging on popular chat tools could be beneficial for both the youth and the NSC. Many agree that these social media tools could act as crucial mediators between the representatives and the people in discussions of national concern.

President Ruto welcomed the idea of pursuing social media chat rooms like X to dialogue with Kenyans, regretting his government's failed communication on the controversial Finance Bill.