Mr President, listen to those who listened to you

The youth, often referred to as Gen Z, played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape during and after the elections. Their protests may have quieted, but their voices have not been silenced. They are still grappling with economic challenges, unmet promises, and policies that fail to address their most pressing needs.

Mr President, these are the people who listened to you, believed in your promises, and gave you their vote. They are the ones you must prioritise. During the campaigns, you spoke directly to the people, promising a government that would uplift the hustlers and address the country’s glaring inequalities.

These promises resonated deeply with millions of ordinary Kenyans who felt marginalised by previous administrations. Yet, nearly two years into your presidency, many of these citizens are still waiting for meaningful change.

Including opposition leaders in your government may appear strategic, but it risks alienating those who stood with you when you needed them most. Many of your supporters view this move as a betrayal of their trust. They fear that the voices of the ordinary citizen will be drowned out by the very leaders they rejected at the ballot.

One of the key lessons from the recent past is that imposing policies without public buy-in only deepens discontent. The Finance Bill, for instance, introduced measures that sparked widespread frustration among Kenyans, yet their concerns were largely ignored. Mr President, listening to the people does not merely mean hearing their complaints; it means taking their grievances into account.

While political stability is essential, it does not automatically translate to national contentment. The leaders you are engaging to “stabilise the country” may not necessarily be the solution to its deeper problems. Stability must be built on trust, accountability, and progress, not just political alliances.

Focus on the people who listened to you, those who believed in your vision for a better Kenya. Prioritise policies that alleviate their struggles, create opportunities, and restore their confidence in leadership. Avoid the temptation to pander to political rivals at the expense of your base.

Andrew Walyaula