President William Ruto has acknowledged the need to listen more attentively to Kenyans following a two-hour dialogue with citizens online.
In a candid moment on his X platform immediately after an X-Space session, President Ruto declared, "I need to listen more."
The president’s statement comes amidst widespread criticism online, where many Kenyans accused him of being out of touch with the challenges they face.
This sentiment was amplified by reactions to recent events, including police actions during protests, which some described as heavy-handed. His speech last Tuesday added fuel to the fire.
In an official address to the nation, President Ruto condemned the recent unrest as treasonous and promised a decisive government response to restore order.
He attributed the disturbances to unnamed individuals seeking to destabilise the country, vowing, "We shall provide a full and expeditious response to the treasonous events. I hereby put on notice the financiers of violence and anarchy."
According to vocal critic Aukot, President Ruto’s response lacked empathy towards those affected by recent violence. Aukot remarked, The seemingly angry president remained silent all day and woke up at night to read these threats to the youth. For over 60 years since independence, Mr. Ruto becomes the first president of Kenya to have declared war on our youth."
Reflecting on the recent events, President Ruto admitted a need for more empathy both personally and within his administration, stating, "I need more empathy. And my administration needs more empathy."
President Ruto’s presidency, initially propelled by a populist message, has faced mounting discontent over proposed tax increases, allegations of corruption, and perceived government insensitivity.
Recent anti-tax protests culminated in the unprecedented storming of Parliament, highlighting public frustration with economic policies and governance.
The protests, largely organized by a leaderless youth movement, have challenged President Ruto’s ability to manage dissent outside traditional political channels. Critics argue that the government's response, including the use of force by police, has exacerbated tensions rather than addressing underlying grievances.
Despite these challenges, President Ruto remains determined to restore stability and address public concerns.
