William Ruto wants to meet Gen Z, economic players over these 5 key items

President William Ruto has vowed to meet Gen Z and multi-sectoral economic players following the recent anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.

President William Ruto signing the Appropriation Bill 2024. Photo: William Ruto. Source: Facebook

Where will Ruto meet Kenyan youth?

Speaking during a presidential roundtable on Sunday, June 30, Ruto promised to engage the youth in whatever forum they deem comfortable.

"I promised that I will engage the young people through multi-sectoral forum. I also promised of the topics that I wanted us to discuss, and I am open. I have heard that they do not want a multisectoral forum, and maybe we should engage on X, and I'm open to talking with them on a forum they are comfortable with," said Ruto.

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Ruto said he understands what young people want, acknowledging the ideas and suggestions they presented during the protests.

The head of state welcomed youths' suggestions on his government's agenda, which includes the digital space, the housing programme, the export of labour, and manufacturing.

"They can improve, change, make new suggestions and I will be responsible to guide as a father," he assured.

He noted that the engagement will help cut the country's wage bill, forming part of the declarations made during the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) engagement forum in April 2024.

Which items does Ruto want to discuss with youths?

Ruto highlighted some topics that his engagement with the youth will entail.

"If they say let's not have spouses' offices, I agree. Let's not have CASs for now, I agree, let's not have advisors, I agree, let's not turn the church into political space, I agree," he said.

On June 26, the president announced plans to form a National Multi-Sectoral Forum (NMSF) to engage with all stakeholders in addressing the concerns raised by the youth.

Ruto said the engagements will be conducted by the National Steering Committee (NSC), comprising 100 persons.

The Kenya Kwanza administration leader listed the following matters to be discussed in the forums:

• Jobs and other opportunities
• The national debt burden
• The Nation's tax policy
• Representation and accountability
• Anti-corruption measures

The head of state explained that the issues are not limited, adding that other agenda items deemed appropriate will also be incorporated into the discussions.

He said this should be done within a period of one week.

What are the youths' demands on Ruto's govt?

This followed demands raised by protestors after Ruto declined to sign the controversial Bill into law and returned it to the National Assembly.

The demands included:

• Fire corrupt Cabinet Secretaries (CSs).
• Change the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leadership in parliament.
• Conduct a lifestyle audit for flashy state officers.
• Create more opportunities for the youth.
• Decline to recreate the positions of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs).
• Reduce wastage in government, including travel.
• Review salaries for Members of Parliament (MPs).
• Abolish funding to First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Gachagua.
• Abolish the housing levy.