Charlene Ruto has expressed her views on the ongoing youth-led protests that have rocked the country, emphasizing the need for connection and dialogue over confrontation. Sharing a heartfelt message on social media, the first daughter described the movement as rooted more in frustration than meaningful engagement, and urged young people to consider more constructive paths.
According to her, over the last three years, she has interacted deeply with Kenyan youth, and from those engagements, she believes many are searching for mentorship, platforms, and guidance—not chaos. In her words, the younger generation is not inherently rebellious but rather misunderstood. She believes they are yearning for inclusion and partnership, not destruction.
Addressing the recent wave of Gen Z protests, Charlene cautioned against what she described as mob mentality and peer-driven outrage. She expressed concern that society is mistaking emotional outbursts and online “hate raids” for unity, referencing terms like “kusalimia watu” as forms of social aggression that undermine the movement’s credibility.
She challenged the youth to turn their passion and energy into policy-driven conversations. Rather than shouting in the streets or storming government offices, Charlene suggested this energy could be redirected into forums that offer reform-based engagements. She questioned how the powerful emotions and ideas flooding social media could evolve into real policy and national progress, stressing the importance of finding common ground instead of furthering generational divides.
In her statement, she warned that no country can benefit from promoting division—whether it’s generational, tribal, or racial. She stressed the importance of unity and constructive communication over divisive tactics, arguing that real change requires a shift in strategy.
Her message, however, struck a nerve among many youth online. Some felt her tone downplayed the severity of the issues at hand, especially considering the number of young people who have been injured or killed during protests. Others accused her of offering vague platitudes rather than solutions and failing to recognize that peaceful attempts at engagement had long been ignored by those in power. Several youth leaders and online voices argued that the protests only turned aggressive after months—if not years—of being dismissed, overlooked, or mocked when trying to speak through peaceful and digital channels.
In a surprising twist, Charlene also seemed to point fingers at millennials, accusing them of failing in their role as generational intermediaries. She claimed that instead of helping bridge the gap between Gen Z and older generations, millennials have largely remained passive or indifferent. She called on them to step up and mediate a ceasefire, encouraging all age groups to pursue mutual understanding and collaborative reform.
While her statement was intended to inspire unity and national healing, the response it generated revealed deep frustrations. Many felt the youth are not asking for emotional solidarity or poetic phrases—they want tangible change, accountability, and a government that listens before being forced to react.
Charlene’s remarks have sparked fresh debate on how leaders engage with youth activism. Whether seen as a tone-deaf dismissal or a genuine call for reflection, one thing is clear: the conversation between Kenya’s youth and its leadership is far from over.
