Mixed Reactions: Gen Z Forms X Space To Counter Ruto’s

Kenyan youth have registered mixed reactions about the Executive’s move to host X-Space conversation.

The youth, through the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) have expressed their divided oppinion on the convo scheduled for Friday with some supporting the governments move and others opposed to it.

The government led by President William Ruto and members of his cabinet are expected to join thousands of youth in an online discussion following protests that led to the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024/25.

President William Ruto will be engaging Kenyans from 2pm on the social media platform.

The announcement was made after a Cabinet meeting at State House on Thursday.

“Cabinet is scheduled to join His Excellency the President tomorrow Friday, 5th July 2024, as the Head of State and Government hosts his inaugural X Space Conversation with the youth of Kenya,” a Cabinet despatch from the Executive Office of the President read.

Kenyans have been invited to join the X Space discussion from 2 pm to 5 pm.

“All Kenyans are welcome to contribute to this dialogue as part of our collective effort to foster national renewal and create a better Kenya for all,” it added.

The development comes in the wake of protests by Gen Zs to push for governance reforms.

The initial nationwide protests against the Finance Bill 2024 which has since been dropped, had seen thousands of youthful Kenyans take to the streets for two weeks.

In a televised joint media interview, the Head of State said he was ready to engage the youth on a platform of their choice.

“I am hearing that the young people are saying we don’t want a multisectoral forum, maybe we should have an engagement with the President on X. I am open to having an engagement with the young people on a forum they are comfortable with. If they want me to engage with them on X, I will be there. I want us to discuss taxation, I want us to discuss unemployment, corruption, all issues,” he said during the roundtable interview with journalists at State House.