President William Ruto’s national apology to Kenyan youth widely referred to as Gen Z has ignited a sharp political debate, exposing deep divisions among leaders over how best to respond to the grievances of a restless generation.
On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, President Ruto issued an emotional appeal for forgiveness from the youth, acknowledging the government’s missteps during the anti-government protests of 2024. “To our children, if there has been any misstep, we apologise,” he said. He underscored the value of unity, stating, “Where there is unity, God commands a blessing.”
The apology is seen by many as a strategic move, with Kenya’s youth expected to comprise more than half of the electorate in the 2027 general elections. The political significance was not lost on observers and rival camps, who quickly responded with varying interpretations of the President’s message.
Former West Pokot Senator Samwel Poghisio welcomed the apology, describing it as a bold display of humility. “If a man can go on public television during a prayer breakfast and say ‘I am sorry,’ that is a show of humility,” Poghisio said during an interview on Citizen TV. He urged Kenyans to embrace reconciliation and give the President the benefit of the doubt.
However, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo criticized the apology as insufficient. “If the President is truly apologetic, he should go to Kenyatta Hospital, apologise in person, and settle the victims’ bills,” Maanzo said. He called for a comprehensive reconciliation programme, including visits to victims and their families, and possible compensation.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah took a harder stance, flatly rejecting the apology. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “They want us to forgive and forget we are neither forgiving nor forgetting. They should know the apology is rejected.”
As political players scramble to win the hearts of Gen Z ahead of 2027, Ruto’s gesture, while symbolic, appears to have opened a new battleground in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
