President William Ruto will engage with Kenyan youths today on X Space, a popular social media platform on X, in a three-hour session starting from 2 pm.
The conversation is expected to cover a wide range of topics relevant to the youth, with several cabinet secretaries and other leaders slated to join.
This virtual town hall comes in the wake of recent protests across Kenya, which have left a significant mark on the nation. The demonstrations, which erupted in various parts of the country, were sparked by widespread discontent over finance bill 2024.
Tragically, the protests resulted in the deaths of 41 people, leading to calls for government accountability and more robust engagement with the public.
President Ruto’s administration has faced intense scrutiny and criticism over its handling of the protests and the underlying issues that fueled them. In response, the government has pledged to take steps to address the grievances raised by the demonstrators. Today’s engagement on X Space is seen as a critical step towards fostering dialogue and understanding between the government and the youth.
Youth leaders and activists have welcomed the opportunity to directly engage with the President and other officials, hoping that it will lead to concrete actions and policies that address their concerns. The session is expected to be lively, with many participants eager to voice their opinions and seek answers to pressing questions.
The conversation on X Space is part of President Ruto’s broader strategy to utilize digital platforms for governance and public engagement. By leveraging social media, the government aims to reach a wider audience, particularly the tech-savvy younger generation, and to make governance more accessible and transparent.
Charlene Ruto, the President’s daughter, has encouraged young Kenyans to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to voice their concerns and engage constructively.
In a message on X, Charlene described the event as a “chance of a lifetime” and emphasized the importance of using it wisely. “Young people, the chance of a lifetime awaits you. I encourage you to use it wisely and engage constructively because you are the ones who will determine the continuity of such levels of discussion for your success,” she stated.
Charlene highlighted the significance of the event, noting that President Ruto will be the first president globally to engage with Generation Z through an online platform like X Space. “The first ever president in the world to hold an online meeting with all Gen Z. Leggoo!” she added.
The Cabinet will also join President Ruto in this interactive session, aimed at fostering national renewal and creating a better Kenya. The Executive Office of the President issued a statement inviting all Kenyans to contribute to this dialogue.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed confirmed that the President will address issues raised by the youth during the session.
X Space is a platform for live audio conversations, accessible to anyone on iOS, Android, and the web. All sessions are public, allowing widespread participation and engagement.
As the nation watches, today’s event will be a crucial indicator of the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by Kenyan youths and rebuilding trust with the public.