During the Twitter Space session, President William Ruto faced tough and direct questions from Gen Z participants. Here are some of the hard-hitting questions they asked:
Corruption and Accountability: Youths demanded explanations about his administration's efforts to tackle corruption. They questioned why no significant actions had been taken against corrupt cabinet secretaries and called for comprehensive lifestyle audits of government officials (POLITICS 254) (Nairobi News).
Finance Bill 2024: Gen Z participants grilled Ruto on the controversial Finance Bill 2024, asking why the government pursued such a bill despite widespread opposition and protests. They sought clarity on what steps would be taken to prevent similar issues in the future (Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news.).
Unemployment: They pressed the President on his administration's plans to create more job opportunities for the youth. They expressed frustration over the high unemployment rates and asked for detailed strategies and timelines for job creation (Nairobi News).
Government Spending: Participants questioned the rationale behind high government expenditures, including the proposed creation of new offices and the funding for the offices of the First Lady and Second Lady. They demanded reductions in government wastage and more efficient use of public funds (POLITICS 254) (Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news.).
Youth Involvement in Governance: The youth challenged Ruto on the lack of meaningful youth representation in decision-making processes. They questioned the effectiveness of his administration's engagement with the youth and called for more substantial inclusion of young voices in governance (POLITICS 254) (Nairobi News).
Security and Protests: They sought answers regarding the government's handling of recent protests, which led to significant property damage and loss of life. They demanded accountability for the actions taken by security forces during these demonstrations (Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news.).
These questions reflected the deep concerns and frustrations of Kenya's youth with the current administration, highlighting the need for more transparent and responsive governance.