As at least 39 people have been killed and hundreds injured in anti-government protests in Kenya, according to the country’s human rights watchdog, Kenyan President William Ruto has announced he will implement some of the recommendations made by Kenyan youth.
Mr Ruto said he valued the input of the youth and had listened to them, Kenyan newspaper The Star reported.
In a statement released on Monday, July 1, two weeks after the protests began, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said 29 people have died and 361 have been injured in the protests. Autopsies of most of the victims have not yet been conducted, the rights watchdog said.
Mr Ruto has indicated that he intends to implement any recommendations he may make, including reducing government spending and staff numbers.
He said: “My dear sons and daughters, let me tell you that I appreciate what you are doing. I have heard what you have said, I have seen what you have done and you have made recommendations. Some of them I will implement outright by reducing the number of governments and offices to the extent possible.”
The Kenyan president recalled that the youth had presented him with difficult options and that he would hold a meeting with them before the end of the week on how to proceed.
Mr Ruto said as they prepare to hold discussions, youths should come forward to give clear suggestions on how the nation can move forward, The Star reported.
He said: “I’m going to address some of the issues that you’ve raised. You’ve given me some tough choices, I’m going to suggest to you how we can together make the tough choices that you’ve put on the table on some of these issues.”
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