Fred Matiang’i has criticised President William Ruto for what he termed as a failure to defend Kenya’s democratic values during a recent state visit to Tanzania, where remarks by Samia Suluhu Hassan drew regional attention over youth protests and governance.

Speaking at a student leaders’ forum at Jubilee Party headquarters in an X video interview dated May 8, 2026, Matiang’i said the president missed an opportunity to affirm Kenya’s constitutional principles during the engagement.

Matiang’i on constitutional values

Matiang’i stated that Kenya’s constitutional framework should have been defended in the regional setting, citing freedom of expression and media rights.

“If I were the president of Kenya, I would have taken the opportunity to defend the character of our country,” he said. “Freedom is a way of life in Kenya. We have one of the most liberal constitutions on the continent. We are respected for that whether you are talking about freedom of expression or media freedoms.”

He added that young people play a central role in national development and should not face restrictions for expressing dissent.

Remarks on Gen Z protests

The debate stems from remarks attributed to President Samia Suluhu during Ruto’s visit to Tanzania on May 4–5, 2026, where she referenced youth protests and regional security.

She stated: “Piga mikwaju, wakija kwangu napiga mikwaju,” a phrase interpreted as a call for strict action against disruptive youth movements across borders.

Matiang’i said Kenya’s leadership should have responded directly to such sentiments.

“Our young people are the mainstay of our country today and tomorrow. I cannot sit in an audience where someone says we punish young people for expressing themselves. What is criminal about expressing ourselves?” he said. “What crime did Gen Z commit? We expect them to express themselves.”

Regional engagement

The remarks were made during joint diplomatic and trade engagements between Kenya and Tanzania, including discussions on infrastructure cooperation and East African Community integration.

Civil society groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), issued statements condemning the use of punitive language against protesters, linking it to concerns over civic freedoms in the region.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also referenced constitutional protections on freedom of expression and assembly, calling for respect of civil liberties in regional diplomacy.