Charlene Ruto’s statement on Anti-Finance Bill protests sparks uproar
Key takeaways
-
- Kenya came to a standstill on Tuesday 25th when millions of angry citizens staged country-wide demos.
- Kenya’s parliament buildings were the epicenter of the protests where confrontation between protesters and police turned fatal.
- Sections of the military were deployed to parliament and other parts of the capital Nairobi to quell the protests.
- With dozens of Kenyans killed and wounded, President William Ruto stepped out of State House to address the nation on the unfolding events.
- Amid the chaos, First daughter Charlene Ruto released a statement on X, prompting strong reactions from netizens.
Also read: Faith Odhiambo’s Chief of Staff Ernest Nyerere arrested by police
Charlene Ruto’s Reaction to Finance Bill 2024 Protests
In her statement, Charlene commended young Kenyans popular as Gen Z for their remarkable interest in current affairs.
The self-proclaimed Youth Champion also recognized the steadfast stand of young Kenyans regarding the country’s political situation.
Charlene wrote: “As a youth champion, I hear the cry of this generation and give my kudos that we not only care about current affairs but have a stand and are willing to raise our concerns. This is a game-changer.”
Gen Z protests have taken Kenya and the world by storm, winning admiration from political observers in foreign nations.
The protests took a turn for the worse when demonstrators followed through on their threat to occupy parliament.
Amid gunfire and intense shooting, young Kenyans marched, breached, and entered Kenya’s parliament buildings.
Kenyans on X react to Charlene Ruto’s statement
As Kenyans made their infamous arrival at parliament buildings in Nairobi, Charlene issued a statement on platform X.
The statement urging restraint among her fellow youth raised an uproar as dreaded ‘Kenyans on X’ called out the first daughter for hypocrisy.
“As a president’s daughter, I do not doubt in my mind, watching my father rise in politics for over 30 years, seeing his work and passion behind the scenes, that he truthfully holds the best interests of Kenyans at heart.” The statement reads in part.
A section of X users wondered how the president has the best interests of Kenyans at heart while repeatedly suffocating them with taxes, while he lives in utmost opulence.
Others viewed her appearance on social media pleading for calmness and reason as an act of extreme hypocrisy.
“Ruto is your father, so call him and tell him to drop the bill. If there is anything else, we will see it as a family comedy,” one X user replied.
Others questioned her credentials as a youth leader while asking probing questions such as “Who appointed you?”
Charlene’s feeble attempt to call for calmness did not yield the expected reaction, as Kenyans continued their protests both online and on the ground.
Angry Kenyans occupy parliament in protest
Late Tuesday afternoon the country watched in disbelief when protesters invaded parliament despite heavy security deployed around the premises.
Scores of people lay dead and others injured, in what has been described as the ugliest day at parliament buildings since independence.
Protesters broke into the chambers and took away symbolic items including the mace, speaker’s robes, and sergeant-at-arms uniform.
They then proceeded to the parliament cafeteria where they ate their fill before vandalizing the area.
To conclude their stern visit to parliament, the protestors set ablaze sections of the parliament buildings.
The City Hall Governor’s office adjacent to parliament was not spared as it was also set on fire.
The destruction quickly escalated into a spree of looting, with supermarkets and businesses across the country being broken into and items stolen.
Also read: Comedian Eric Omondi arrested at parliament in solo protest
President Ruto’s address to the nation
A visibly enraged President Ruto later emerged from the grand doors of State House to address the nation about the unfolding events.
Like the first daughter, the president gave young Kenyans a pat on the back for coming out to make their voices heard.
Similar to Charlene’s words, the president attributed the recent Gen Z as a game changer and a commendable step in Kenya’s political trajectory.
With his kind words also came stern repeated warnings to perceived criminals who had hijacked the once peaceful demonstrations.
President Ruto announced the full mobilization of the country’s security capabilities to contain and stop the recurrence of such disorder.
Parliament earlier regularised the deployment of Kenya Defense Forces to assist in securing the violent streets and critical government infrastructure.
Kenyans wait with bated breath as the planned Thursday #RoadtoStateHouse protests approach.
Do you have any news or article you would like us to publish? Kindly reach us via outreach@t4d.co.ke or howtodoafrica@gmail.com.
