President William Ruto has made history by conducting his first-ever live address to the nation via social media.

President Ruto’s milestone event, a conversation on X-Space with Kenyans today, was primarily aimed at engaging with Gen Z, who recently spearheaded nationwide protests against the Finance Bill 2024 and the government.

The president chose the X app due to its popularity among Kenyan youths, who have been actively organizing and participating in the ongoing protests through this platform.

On X, Kenyans have been at the forefront of campaigns against the new taxes and government policies, using the platform to voice their concerns directly to President Ruto.

Additionally, X has provided a space for Gen Z to articulate their demands to President Ruto, including addressing issues of corruption within the government, alongside other social media channels.

In response to these protests, President Ruto decided not to sign the Bill that had been previously passed by Parliament.

Charlene Ruto, the president’s daughter, celebrated him on her X platform, hailing him as ‘the first-ever president in the world to conduct an online meeting with all of Gen Z.’

However, reports surfaced that some youths are planning to organize a parallel discussion on the X platform to counter President Ruto’s X-Space conversation. They argue that they were the initiators of the platform for the president to listen to their voices more easily.

Critics alleged that the individuals selected to speak during President Ruto’s X-Space were primarily acquaintances of the president, raising concerns about inclusivity.

President William Ruto’s X-Space conversation has significant implications for Kenyan politics:

By engaging directly with Gen Zs on X Spaces, President Ruto acknowledges the crucial role of youth voices in shaping national discourse.

The use of X Spaces marks a shift toward digital democracy, enabling citizens to interact with the president in real time, potentially influencing policy decisions and holding leaders accountable.

Hosting an online meeting reflects President Ruto’s readiness to embrace modern communication platforms.

In light of recent protests and the emergence of counter-discussions on X Spaces, this event could exacerbate existing political divisions.