President William Ruto addressed the ongoing anti-Finance Bill 2024 Protests during a church service in Nyahururu on Sunday, marking his first public statement on the matter. He acknowledged the demonstrations that have spanned the country over the past week, emphasizing that the government has heard the voices of the youth and is prepared to engage in dialogue with them.
Ruto commended the youth for their initiative in participating in the protests, describing it as a significant expression of their desire to participate in the political process, which he viewed as their democratic responsibility. He expressed pride in their peaceful and non-tribal approach.
Acknowledging the issues faced by the youth, the President assured that the government is committed to addressing their concerns. He highlighted the allocation of Ksh10 billion to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in the upcoming budget year, aimed at advancing youth interests. Additionally, Ruto mentioned plans to increase resources for bursaries through CDF and support for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to alleviate financial burdens on students.
In tackling unemployment, Ruto outlined the government’s focus on establishing ICT Hubs to foster job opportunities across the country.
However, Ruto’s remarks followed a series of protests where youth expressed their discontent with the Finance Bill. One notable action, known as Occupy Churches, saw youth pledge to prevent politicians from speaking at places of worship. This movement prompted several churches to adhere to their stance, rejecting political addresses and publicly declaring their position on the Finance Bill.
