Team Ground Criticizes President Ruto For Ignoring Youth Concerns, Warns Of Potential Unrest

By Cynthia Masibo

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Friday led a lobby group of parliamentarians called team ground in criticizing President William Ruto for neglecting the concerns of Kenyan youth. Speaking on behalf of Generation Z and Millennials, Owino expressed solidarity with families who have lost loved ones, those injured, and those whose relatives remain missing following recent protests.

The MPs addressed the nation in response to numerous distress calls and messages from Kenyans who feel abandoned by the political class following the recent reshuffling of the cabinet by President Ruto.

“After suffering for many years due to bad politics, poor governance, and corruption, the youth of Kenya exercised their rights under Article 37 of the Constitution to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and petition their leaders,” Owino said. He noted that the protests were aimed at pushing the government to address critical issues and create opportunities for young people.

The lobby group accused President Ruto of betraying the youth’s trust by forming a new cabinet without consulting them. “Despite promising to engage in a National Dialogue, the President announced a new cabinet without any consultation with the Gen Zs and Millennials,” he remarked. Owino added that Ruto has failed to address the underlying issues that led to the protests.

The MP did not mince his words, lambasting the President for returning to “business as usual” mode, shuttling between countries and launching projects from the top of vehicles, while the nation mourns those who died during the protests. Owino’s address was a clear signal that the youth are not satisfied with the government’s actions and feel neglected by the administration.

“The young people of Kenya feel you are showing them contempt by ignoring all their issues,” Owino stated. He also criticized Ruto for failing to compensate families who lost loved ones during the protests, refusing to cover medical expenses for those injured by police, and not freeing those who were abducted.

In addition, the MP condemned the new funding model for higher education, which he claimed is forcing many students to drop out of college. He also challenged the President to demonstrate the steps he is taking to create jobs and address the high cost of living, which he said is pushing young people to the brink of desperation.

Owino further called on President Ruto to propose reforms to combat corruption and improve the competence of government bureaucracy, which he argued is crucial for better service delivery and development.

The MP issued a stern warning to the President, reminding him that the 2025 Finance Bill will soon be due, and that the youth are worried they will face the same problems if nothing changes. He hinted at the possibility of further unrest if the government fails to heed their concerns.

“As a youthful leader, I appeal to you to sit down with your advisors and cabinet, review the bad policies that have hurt Kenyans, and engage the youth to show that you care,” Owino said.

Concluding his address, Owino urged the President to “walk the talk” and restore trust between the government and the people. He cited the words of John F. Kennedy, warning that “those who make peaceful revolutions impossible make violent revolutions inevitable.” Owino also invoked the legacy of Nelson Mandela, stating that the youth are capable of bringing down oppressive regimes.

The address serves as a stark reminder that the youth are restless and expect meaningful changes from the government.

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Cynthia Masibo

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