President William Ruto’s apology to Kenyan youth commonly referred to as Gen Z, has sparked mixed reactions among politicians and citizens, especially on social media.
This was after President Ruto on Wednesday May 28, 2025 during the National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi, apologized to Gen Zs for the atrocities committed to them following the 2024 Finance Bill protests that led to loss of lives and a series of abductions.
The president acknowledged the pain inflicted on the younger generation, calling for healing and unity.
“I extend this apology with a heavy heart to the Gen Zs of our nation. What happened should not have happened. As a government, we must do better,” Ruto said.
The Head of State also used the opportunity to apologize to Kenya’s neighboring countries especially Uganda and Tanzania following diplomatic tension triggered when Kenyan human rights activists were denied access to the treason trial of opposition Leader Tundu Lissu in Dar es Salaam.
This apology has however elicited mixed reactions with political leaders and citizens questioning its sincerity, intent, and scope.
Richard Onyoka, the Kisii Senator instead wants the president to administer a complete restrictive justice stating that anybody who is still being held in captivity to be set free.
The senator has also called on the need to end what he terms as political intimidation in Kenya which has led to suppression of many government’s critics, emphasizing that freedom of speech should be obeyed.
Kabando wa Kabando the former Mukuruweini Member of Parliament has questioned the need for the president apologizing to Tanzania and Uganda after Kenyan activists received harsh treatment in Tanzania including arrest, torture and even deportation.
Kabando dismissed the apology as insufficient and symbolic. “We instead insist, it’s Tanzania that should be held accountable and not Kenyan citizens who were moving feely within the East African Community.
”The President was apologizing for who, where did Kenya as a republic transgress, oppress or conflict with Uganda or Tanzania, in fact it’s our citizens who have been failed,” Kabando wa Kabando lamented.
Former legislator Jenipher Shimala also expressed frustration over the government’s handling of protest-related killings, calling on the prosecution of the officers involved.
” It’s not enough to say we are really sorry, where are the perpetrators? where is the report? Who is responsible and how will we know this will never occur again? ” asked Jenipher.
