President William Ruto has sharply criticized former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent call for Gen Z to “fight for their rights,” deeming the remarks as inciteful and counterproductive.
In a veiled response to his predecessor, Ruto asserted that Kenyan youth should not be pitted against one another, emphasizing the importance of jobs and business opportunities. “Our young people deserve the best from us. Let us not pit our children against each other. These young Kenyans do not need violence or confrontation,” Ruto said.
The President further urged leaders to focus on fostering meaningful opportunities for the youth, rather than inciting division. “They want jobs and opportunities to engage in business, and that is what we should be doing as leaders instead of inciting them to violence,” he added.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta advices Gen Z to fight for their rights and exhorts his niece to join the fight. pic.twitter.com/DNP6Btbxft
— Jʌĸowɩtɩ🇰🇪 (@Jakowiti_Atwech) January 20, 2025
Ruto’s remarks follow Uhuru Kenyatta’s speech on Friday, January 17, during the burial of his cousin, veteran rally driver Kibathi Muigai. The former president urged Gen Z to remain resolute in fighting for their rights, describing them as the “future of the nation.”
“The problem nowadays is that people are afraid. Gen Zs are the story of the future. Fight for your rights. Fight to ensure you are getting what is rightfully yours,” Uhuru stated. He called on his daughter, Ngina Kenyatta, to join the movement, signaling his belief in the power of youth activism.
Uhuru’s remarks, however, have drawn backlash from President Ruto’s allies. Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale labeled the comments as politically motivated, accusing the former president of attempting to destabilize the government.
“It is unfortunate when leaders, current or former, encourage young people to commit acts of violence or disobedience. By doing so, we lose the moral high ground,” Duale said during an event in Garissa County on Saturday. He further criticized Uhuru for failing to promote peace and stability.
The former president’s comments come at a time when Gen Z has expressed mounting frustration with Ruto’s administration, marked by protests against the Finance Bill 2024. Critics argue that the proposed bill exacerbates economic hardships through increased taxation.
The government has faced allegations of suppressing dissent, including reports of abductions targeting young activists opposing its policies online. These measures have drawn comparisons to the authoritarian tactics of the late Daniel Arap Moi, further fueling youth unrest.
As political tensions escalate, the exchange between Ruto and Uhuru highlights a growing generational divide and raises questions about the role of leadership in addressing Kenya’s youth-led demands for reform.
