Gen Zs protesters in 2024, a section of Marsabit youth have rejected president William Ruto's apology terming it not genuine. Photo: Katiba Institute.
Marsabit youths have rejected the apology made by President William Ruto to the Gen Zs in the country, of the missteps done by the administration during the National Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, May 28.
According to some of them, the president’s calls were not satisfactory, as it was not genuine, but a call after pressure mounted on him from other speakers before him to reconcile with the youths following their bitterness since the protests in June 2024.
They said that following the killings, forced disappearance and abduction of their colleagues are among the reasons of them not forgiving him, and additionally they claim that the forgiveness is no longer timely.
“Asking for forgiveness is not an easy thing, we cannot accept that kind of an apology. He should reach out to all Gen Zs across the country,” one of the youths remarked.
“That apology is not genuine, an apology should come from within, his apology was forced because of the preaching of that USA Pastor, if he wants our forgives he should come out, but not when he has been told!” Another youth remarked.
“What he did to our fellow youth is unimaginable and unthinkable. I cannot forgive him,” he stated.
“What happened was a directive from himself or his allies and fellow leaders, he understands what he did was wrong, but I don’t see the need to forgive him,” another youth echoed.
“Rais amefeel what he did was not correct, and he was compelled to as for forgiveness,” another youth stated.
Additionally, a section of them said it will be difficult for president to be forgiven, especially that the families whose loved ones were killed by the police during the protests, and called on the Kenya Kwanza Government to compensate the affected families.
” I cannot forgive him, as those killed were the future and hope the country and their families, we are not accepting his apologies!” one of the youths remarked.
“Can you forgive someone who has killed your child? The things that the president has done does not warrant him our forgiveness? If he wants our forgiveness he should release all the Gen Zs missing, then we can talk about the forgiveness process,” another youth remarked.
“Tutasalimiana tu kwa hewa, lakini kwa roho hatuwezi! The 2024 killings zilikuwa bad, hatuwezi msamehea,” another youth said.
“It is not a pleasing state as many youths are still missing, up to now there is no information about their whereabouts, he should release them and then think of asking for our forgiveness. The government must compensate the families that lost their loved ones during protests, otherwise tunaongelelea one term!” he remarked.
The youths further asked President William Ruto to reduce the current high cost of living, as it was one of the contributors that led to the Gen Zs protests in the country.
