By ERIC BONUKE
President William Ruto will find himself in unfamiliar territory when debating Generation Z later this week.
While hosts or co-hosts of debate on X Space have power to control debate by blocking those who are disruptive or offensive, it is generally a forum that allows for frankness as compared to physical debates.
Another advantage is that the time for debate is scheduled in advance thus allowing those planning to take part to plan their time. As a result, it has the potential of attracting tens of thousands of people unlike a physical debate.
Thus the President must be prepared to an avalanche of concerns and questions about where his administration is going wrong and thus failing to meet the expectations of Gen Z and Kenyans generally.
He must also be prepared to commit himself to meeting the demands of Gen Z, which started with opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 but have now extended to demands that he quits.
“If he is to gain our confidence, he must tell us what he will do to ensure we get jobs after school, lower the cost of living and address other problems Kenyans are facing,” said James Odede, a university student.
However, Odede says the president must first fight the bullet and get rid of Cabinet ministers and other top officials who are letting him down either by engaging in corruption or failing to do their work.
“We have already told him to get rid of the Cabinet and abolish other positions that are not of value to Kenyans such as advisors, CASs and even women Reps who earn millions of shillings every month while Kenyans are suffering. He should also tackle corruption and wastage,” the 20-year-old, who took part in the protests on June 25 when Parliament Buildings were vandalised, said.
On Sunday, President Ruto said he is ready to engage Gen Z on X Space to hear their concerns directly even after proposing the formation of a 100-member task force to collect views from Kenyans on the Finance Bill 2024.
“I hear the young people are saying they don’t want a multisectoral forum. Maybe we should have an engagement with the President on X. I’m 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,” Ruto said during a live press interview at State House Nairobi.
In another interview with digital media platforms on Monday morning, he suggested Thursday or Friday as tentative dates for the debate.
“Tell me who among you is going to set up the X Space and either Thursday or Friday, I will be there. I want us to discuss taxation, unemployment, corruption, and all issues,” he said.
X Space has proven to be one of the critical forums where Gen Z are airing their concerns, often bringing together over 50,000 people.
President Ruto recently joined one such debate but left soon after amid heated debate on the Finance Bill, which has since been withdrawn after deadly protests.