Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa called out President William Ruto over his apology to the youth, Tanzania and Uganda, suggesting an alternative way to do it.
Through a statement on Thursday, May 29, Thang’wa, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, called upon Ruto to act rightly and in accordance with the law if he was to get forgiveness from the Gen Zs.
“The best way to ask for forgiveness is to do the right thing; uphold the law, compensate, stop excessive taxation, stop weaponisation of government agencies and above all, Skiza Ground (listen to the ground)!” Thang’wa stated.
During the National Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, May 28, Ruto issued an apology over past transgressions to Gen Zs, and the country’s East African neighbours, Tanzania and Uganda. Ruto acknowledged the need to build relationships to spur development both locally and in the region.
“Our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, please forgive us. Our friends from Uganda, if we have wronged you in any way, please forgive us,” he said.
Ruto said further, “To our children, if there has been any misstep, we apologise. To our neighbours, if there has been any misstep, forgive us. We want to build relationships that will move our countries forward.”
His apology came after the chief guest at the event, former American National Football League (NFL) star turned pastor Ricky Bolden, urged Kenyan leaders to apologise to Gen Zs over the happenings of the anti-Finance Bill protests that led to loss of lives and enforced disappearances.
“I pray that leaders would apologise to Gen Z for the detainment & shutting down the internet. They respect you, but they don’t feel respected," Bolden stated.
However, most people have taken issue with Ruto’s apology, criticising the wording used by the Head of State. This has led to a lot of heat being directed towards Ruto, as most have opined that the apology was not genuine.
“The moment you use the word “if” in an apology you erase responsibility for your actions which means that you consciously wipe out every iota of atonement. This is epic insincerity,” one X user opined.
At the same time, Thang’wa accused Ruto of double standards, noting that he was seeking forgiveness from Gen Zs but could not extend the same to Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, who was expelled by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which Ruto heads.
“You ask DEAD Gen-Zs to forgive you? Yet, you cannot forgive others. You cannot even forgive a young KISII girl called Gloria Orwoba,” he posited.
