The Kenya Internally Displaced Persons Organization (KIDPO) has called for a national conversation between the leaders and the young people who went to the streets to protest against the Finance Bill 2024.
KIDPO has also urged the young people to give dialogue a chance while allowing President William Ruto to act on their grievances.
KIDPO Patron Mr. Peter Tena observed that further escalation, such as threats to occupy certain government offices were unnecessary at this point as the government had demonstrated commitment to initiate dialogue with Gen Z and communicate openly the next steps.
Tena indicated that President Ruto’s efforts of reviving the economy and unifying the country were dependent on peace and noted that absence of peace renders everything else impotent.
“The government has acknowledged their unity and demands, and it is now time to allow the government to implement a fair Bill that does not burden citizens,” stated the Patron.
Speaking to journalists in Nakuru, Tena affirmed that citizens needed to uphold peace and respect rule of law as they could only enjoy legal or constitutional rights in a country that exists and functions.
He expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and emphasized that it was essential to focus on preserving stability and ensuring that any further actions are pursued through democratic and inclusive processes.
This approach, added the Patron, is vital to prevent the country from descending into a cycle of instability and authoritarianism, which could exacerbate corruption, and economic mismanagement, and worsen living conditions for its citizens.
“To our young generation, the nation is yours and your families are our families and we thank you for being our children but we also have a nation which belongs to all of us. Let us all share by listening to one another and we want to listen to you,” said Tena.
The Patron said young people should not go to the streets to demonstrate, as no protests have led to any good but loss of lives and property then violence, adding that it starts small then it becomes uncontrollable.
Tena however said the exercise of this democratic right to demonstrate should be performed with decency and respect for the rule of law.
He welcomed the President’s stance saying that Gen Z constitute a large percentage of the population and their voice is critically important in seeking solutions to national issues.
Tena called on other leaders across the political divide to emulate the President and listen to the youth and urged Kenyans in general to embrace the divine invitation of “come, let’s reason together” for the common good of all.
He reminded leaders that their power is derived from the people, stressing the importance of adhering to democratic principles. He urged leaders to exercise restraint and engage with the populace.
“I call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not being antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer,” he stated.
He acknowledged the challenges of leading the country and called for wisdom and civility to prevail.
KIDPO Governing Council Member Reverend Harrison Kimani Mwangi also called for dialogue and understanding, reiterating the need for leaders to engage in constructive conversation with the people.
“I pray for peace and understanding on the part of every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than any one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed,” he explained.
Rev. Mwangi further called on the elected leaders to realize that the people of Kenya are supreme and they should be accountable to them.
By Anne Mwale /Dennis Rasto
