Gen Z protesters issued a list of demands after President William Ruto declined to sign the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
President Ruto gave in and agreed to have a conversation with the youth and Kenyans in a multi-sectoral forum to listen to their views.
Ruto highlighted some topics that his engagement with the youth will entail; mainly employment and taxes among the key items.
"If they say let's not have spouses' offices, I agree. Let's not have CASs for now, I agree, let's not have advisors, I agree, let's not turn the church into political space, I agree," he said.
The demands included of the Kenyan youths :
The president to fire corrupt Cabinet Secretaries (CSs).
Change the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leadership in parliament.
Conduct a lifestyle audit for flashy state officers.
Abolish funding to First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Gachagua.
Abolish the housing levy.
Create more opportunities for the youth.
Decline to recreate the positions of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs).
Reduce wastage in government, including travel.
Review salaries for Members of Parliament (MPs).
He said that he understands what young people want, acknowledging the ideas and suggestions they presented during the protests.
He welcomed youths' suggestions on his government's agenda, which includes the digital space, the housing program, the export of labor, and manufacturing.
They can improve, change, make new suggestions and I will be responsible to guide as a father," he assured.
He noted that the engagement will help cut the country's wage bill, forming part of the declarations made during the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) engagement forum in April 2024.
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