Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has strongly criticized President William Ruto’s recent apology to Kenyan Gen Zs, dismissing it as insincere.

Speaking during a rally in Matuu, Machakos County, on Friday, May 30, 2025, Wamalwa said the president must first acknowledge his administration’s failure to protect young people before issuing any apology. 

He argued that without accepting responsibility for state actions during the June 2024 protests, the apology lacked meaning and substance.

Wamalwa further challenged Ruto to use his ongoing visit to Kisumu as an opportunity to issue a personal apology for the bodies recorded at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital, which he implied were linked to the government’s handling of protests and civil unrest.

In addition, the former Defence Cabinet Secretary called on the president to establish a Truth and Justice Committee to investigate historical and recent injustices. 

According to Wamalwa, such a move would be a critical step toward healing and national reconciliation.

“Start by apologising in Nyanza Leo na ukubali maiti waliojaa Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital, vijana gen Z, ni wewe na polisi wako uliwaua. Huezi sema una apologise bila kukubali makosa yako, we must have truth, then justice before we have an apology and reconciliation. So lets have a truth and justice committee and then we have an apology,” Wamalwa said.

Wamalwa’s remarks come amid growing political tensions and rising youth dissatisfaction, as opposition figures intensify their calls for greater accountability from the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Ruto’s apology

The latest comes a day after Ruto’s message to the Gen Zs following the growing dissatisfaction with his administration. 

Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast held at the Safari Park Hotel on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the president emphasized the importance of unity in the country noting that unity commands blessing. 

“Where there is unity, God commands a blessing.”

H e went on to state; “To our children, if there has been any misstep, we apologise.”

His conciliatory sentiments mark the first since the start of his tenure, attracting mounting criticism from members of the political divide as well as the country’s youth.