Gen Z catch Ruto media unawares
By Samuel Kariuki, June 21, 2024
The ongoing street protests by the now all-famous Gen Z appear to have caught President William Ruto’s communication team off-guard.
Ordinarily, when street protests erupt, the President’s keyboard warriors are always posting messages on their social media accounts either to castigate the protesters or to pre-empting measures that the government should take to contain the demonstrations.
The youthful attack dogs have gone mum on social media channels even as hundreds of their target audience continue to pour on the streets across the country chanting Ruto Must Go and Reject Finance Bill songs.
Reportedly, the revolt portrayed by the youth protesters who have mobilized themselves on social media platforms without a central and powerful figure command has outwitted the communication team’s strategy to silence voices opposed to the government agenda.
Digital activism
It would be an uphill task for Ruto’s young communicators to condemn the same youth who voted him into office and who have now turned toughest government critics through digital activism.
The most vocal social media communicators include Dennis Itumbi, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura, his State House counterpart Hussein Mohammed, State House Press Secretary Emmanuel Talam, State House Director of Public Communications Wanjohi Githae, Public Communications Secretary Munyori Buku and Ruto’s Economic Advisor David Ndii.
On Facebook, the most popular social media platform in Kenya, Itumbi last posted on Tuesday, June 18 at 7:55pm, calling on police not to interfere with protestors who are just out to exercise their constitutional right.
He wrote: “Dear Police, please release the demonstrators whose only mistake was to exercise their freedom of Expression! Instead, organize a meeting with the chair budget and Finance to answer the questions they have. National conversations cannot be done with teargas and bakora! Tafadhali….”
Mohammed also posted on Facebook on June 18 about a different issue touching the economic affairs of neighbouring Somalia.
His post reads: “How Can Somalia Address Climate Change Challenges to Facilitate Economic Growth? Join us at the Somalia Economic Update launch for a deep dive into sustainable solutions and future prospects.”