President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, has challenged young Kenyans to rethink the way they channel their frustrations, urging a shift from street protests and online rage to meaningful dialogue, policy influence, and nation-building.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Charlene reflected on her three-year journey of engaging deeply with Kenyan youth, noting that most young people are not driven by destruction or defiance, but by a desire for connection, purpose, and inclusion.
“As I have intentionally met, deeply engaged, and heavily invested in the young people as a collective for the last 3 years, I have quickly learnt that young people are looking for connection, not conflict; they are looking for a platform, not destruction; they are looking for mentorship, not violence; and they definitely want to be part of the solution, not the problem!” she said.
Furthermore, she expressed concern over growing societal division, warning that no nation can prosper while promoting generational, tribal, or racial divisions.
She cautioned against toxic online culture, mob mentality, and performative activism, arguing that these do not amount to genuine unity.
“There is no nation that will ever benefit from encouraging division, be it generational, tribal, or even racial. Peer pressure, mob mentality, hate raids (“Kusalimia watu”), and riots do not qualify as unity.”
“How do we convert our passion to policy, our ideas to tangible plans, our energy for riots to reform-based engagements, from shouting to constructive dialogue, and intense emotions into patriotism?” she posed.
Charlene on millennials
This comes a week after she called for a truce between Kenya’s senior citizens and the country’s increasingly vocal Gen Z youth.
In a passionate statement released on Friday, June 20, 2025, Charlene placed part of the blame for the “endless and senseless conflict” on millennials, saying the generation has failed to play its rightful role as middle-ground mediators.
“We, as the older brothers and sisters who understand both generations, have failed to mediate for peaceful coexistence, provide leadership and clarity in tough times, and offer our young people guidance on alternatives that don’t necessarily lead to violent riots,” she said.
Charlene cautioned that the recent wave of anger and confrontation – fuelled by violent protests, cyberbullying, and what she termed “rage hunting” and cancel culture – risked radicalising young people and pushing the country into deeper instability.
