Ruto Challenges 'Must Go' Protesters: "Tell Me How You Want Me To Go!"

In a powerful and direct address, President William Ruto has finally confronted the pervasive "Ruto Must Go" and "Wan tam" chants that have become the rallying cry for a significant portion of Kenya's youth, particularly the recent Gen Z-led demonstrations.

His message is clear: if you truly love Kenya, don't destroy it, and if you want him gone, present a better, concrete plan.

These chants, which have resonated across social media platforms and city streets, signify a growing dissatisfaction with the current administration. The "Ruto Must Go" slogan is a straightforward demand for the President's resignation.

At the same time "One Term" expresses the protesters' desire for him not to seek re-election beyond his current constitutional term. This wave of protest and the associated chants largely gained momentum during the mid-June 2024 demonstrations against the contentious Finance Bill 2024, spearheaded by a digitally savvy generation.

President Ruto openly acknowledged that he has listened to the people organizing the demonstrations" and understands their three core messages: "They love Kenya but they hate the leaders," "They have talked something about one term," and "Ruto must go".

“If you truly love Kenya as you say, don't burn your country. If you are telling us you truly love this nation, don't be part of the problem. Figure out how we are going to get solutions,” Ruto said.

He decried the escalating violence and vandalism, cautioning that if protests continue to target small enterprises downtown, the chaos will spread to residential areas like Kileleshwa, Lavington, and Karen, threatening the very existence of the nation.

"We will shortly not have a country," he asserted, questioning if this is the desired direction.

Ruto directly challenged the premise of "hate," stating, "Hate brings conflict. Conflict brings violence. Violence is not a solution to unemployment. Is not a solution to any of the challenges that Kenya is facing".

He questioned how a strategy anchored on hate for other people, for leaders, could provide solutions for the nation.

Regarding the "one term" chant, the President pointed out that the constitution already has sorted out and settled the issue of terms, limiting them to one or two maximum. He emphasized that solutions cannot be found in terms," but rather in strategy and a plan.

Perhaps the most striking part of his response was a direct challenge to the "Ruto must go" demand:

"Tell me how you want me to go. How what, you know...let's be honest with ourselves what do you mean by Ruto must go how do I go because we have a constitution in place, dear people, right?".

The President then laid down a gauntlet: "If you want Ruto to go, please my simple advice to you, look for a better plan.".

He urged them to convince the people of Kenya that they have a better plan, one that creates more jobs.