Following a two-hour online dialogue with citizens, President William Ruto has acknowledged the need to listen more attentively to Kenyans. This realization came after an X Space session where numerous concerns and criticisms were aired.
In a candid moment on his X platform immediately after the session, President Ruto stated, "I need to listen more." This comes amidst widespread criticism online, with many Kenyans accusing him of being out of touch with the challenges they face.
The President's recognition of the need for empathy and better listening follows reactions to recent events, including perceived heavy-handed police actions during protests. These sentiments were exacerbated by his speech last Tuesday, where he condemned the unrest as treasonous and promised a decisive response. "We shall provide a full and expeditious response to the treasonous events. I hereby put on notice the financiers of violence and anarchy," Ruto declared, attributing the disturbances to unnamed individuals seeking to destabilize the country.
Vocal critic Aukot highlighted the President’s response as lacking 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 these criticisms, President Ruto admitted the 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 increasing discontent over proposed tax increases, allegations of corruption, and perceived government insensitivity. Recent anti-tax protests, culminating in the storming of Parliament, underscore the public's frustration with current economic policies and governance.
The protests, largely driven by a leaderless youth movement, have posed significant challenges to 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.