26 June 2024

• The President also said the conversation must be subjected to the rule of law.

President William Ruto has continued to heap praises on the youths of Kenya, more so the Gen Zs who were at the forefront of the anti-Finance Bill protests.

Speaking at State House on Tuesday night, the President still lauded the young people for what he termed as "helping our country organise our democratic discourse around issues." assuring them that his promise to hold dialogue with them is still on.

"I thank you and assure you that the conversation that you have begun around pertinent issues of our nation, will continue to inform our policy and governance decisions," Ruto said.

"As I promised on Sunday, this conversation will not be in vain."

However, the President said he will ensure the conversation not only champions issue-based, policy-oriented and tribe-less dialogue but it will also provide a framework for the conversation to be processed and its outcomes implemented.

The President also said the conversation must be subjected to the rule of law.

"However, our national conversations on any subject matter must be conducted in a manner that respects and honours the foundational values upon which our nation is established, namely, constitutionalism, the rule of law and respect for institutions," he said.

The President further decried that his planned conversation with the young people had been allegedly hijacked by dangerous criminals who have caused the nation loss incurred in Tuesday's protests.

"It is possible that the criminals who reigned terror on innocent people and attempted to challenge our law enforcement deployments are still determined to continue with their dangerous behaviour," he said.