Narok County Senator Ledama Olekina has urged President William Ruto to create jobs as a solution to the demonstrations by Kenya’s Gen Zs.

While speaking during a Senate proceeding on 31 July 2025, Olekina said job creation is the only way to quell the dissatisfied youthful population.

“President Ruto can only deal with the Gen Z demonstrations by dealing with unemployment. For example, why not give these youths who are jobless some little money, even if it is a Hustler Fund, and tell them to go buy a crusher and cabrio-making machines?” Olekina suggested.

“If you do this, you will not have these youths on the street saying, ‘We are jobless,’ because everybody is going to be busy. You won’t see demonstrations anymore,” he added.

Olekina’s suggestions refer to the recent Gen Z frustration with the current administration. The Finance Bill protests were led largely by Gen Z, who erupted in mid-2024 over proposed tax hikes, reflecting youth frustration with economic hardship and unemployment. These protests escalated with demands for Ruto’s resignation after the storming of Parliament on June 25, 2024. 

Unemployment

As of mid-2025, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) estimates youth unemployment (15-34) at 67%, with Gen Z bearing the brunt due to their recent entry into the labour market. KNBS data from Q1 2025 pegs the national unemployment rate at 12.7%, but this under-represents youth, where informal sector jobs dominate (83% of total employment, per KNBS). Kenya’s GDP growth slowed to 4.8% in 2024 (World Bank), down from 5.6% in 2023, due to post-protest recovery and global pressures (e.g., rising import costs).

Olekina’s message fits this narrative, as youth unemployment—peaking at 67% for those aged 15-34—remains a flashpoint.

Through his statement, Olekina emphasises shifting from political bickering to nation-building, including job creation and development projects like housing for displaced communities. This suggests a pragmatic pivot, possibly to address Gen Zs’ concerns. His criticism of Ruto could stem from the government’s response to the Gen Z protests, where police actions (e.g., extrajudicial killings and abductions) drew international condemnation, including from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Furthermore, this statement could be a response to renewed Gen Z activism, possibly triggered by economic stagnation or a new policy announcement. The urgency of Olekina’s message reflects the pressure on Ruto, whose approval ratings are believed to have likely dipped post-2024 riots, to deliver tangible results.