President William Ruto has agreed to convene a meeting with youth in the country following the ongoing anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
Addressing congregants at ACK Nyahururu Diocese in Laikipia County during the episcopal ordination on Sunday, June 23, 2024, the head of state commended the civic uprising among Kenyan youth, welcoming their views on the country’s economic state.
President Ruto lauded the youth for turning up in huge numbers to protest their rights – undertaking their democratic duty peacefully.
“I want to congratulate our young people for coming out and being concerned about Kenya’s affairs. They have done a democratic duty to stand and be recognised. We are going to have a conversation with the youth. We are going to engage them. They have stood out and have been recognised,” Ruto stated.
“I am very proud of our young people. They have stepped forward, tribeless and peaceful,” he added.
While welcoming the youth to the negotiation table, President Ruto explained that the Finance Bill 2024 had taken measures to address unemployment among youth. According to the head of state, Ksh10 billion had been added to the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to fund education.
Ruto also stated that his government is keen on the establishment of ICT hubs in every constituency through CDF to empower the youth.
He further noted that the Finance Bill 2024 proposes increased allocation to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to fund university, college and TVET education for Kenyan youth.
While the head of state may have tried to calm the rising economic tension in the country, he was met with hostile chants against the Finance Bill as he left the parish.
The Finance Bill is in the committee stage ahead of the third reading on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
Kenyan youth have since mobilised demonstrations across the country to counter the bill.
