A lobby has asked the youth to consider halting countrywide protests against the Finance Bill 2024 saying the government has already committed to listening to their grievances.
National Community Ambassadors Kenya (NCAs-Kenya) said the youth have made clear their demands and should now allow President William Ruto to respond to their concerns.
“The youth should cool down their tempers. The President has agreed to engage them to find a way out of the current situation,” said NCAs-Kenya Secretary General Benson Kagete.
In a statement, Kagete nevertheless said the movement is a concrete reality of the yearnings of the youth for good governance and a better Kenya.
“It runs far deeper than just disbanding Finance Bill, 2024. Despite all provocations and assaults, the Kenyan youths have demonstrated a capacity to be resolute, disciplined and focused on the task ahead,” he added.
The group, popularly referred to as Generation Z, have planned a week-long protest to push the MPs to reject the contentious Bill.
Ruto has since indicated that he is ready to engage youths protesting against ‘harsh’ tax laws pushed by his administration.
The President said he would talk with the lot to understand their grievances.
“And I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation so that we can identify your issues and work together as a nation,” he said on Sunday.
Kegete called on the youth to form neighbourhood committees which would act as platforms to propagate the struggle from within the ranks of protesters.
“The problem for a youth in Mathare is not the same as for one in Kajiado,” he stated.
He further said the youth should make use of programmes undertaken by the Ministry of Interior to raise their concerns.
He added that the youth should also establish leadership in their areas who would air specific concerns.
“Link up the struggle with that of the informal sector and that organised labour movement. The tactics here will be to appeal directly to the rank and file members of these organisations, who are also fighting the same problems,” he advised.