Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has criticised President William Ruto’s apology to Generation Z, terming it hypocritical in light of ongoing injustices, including the expulsion of Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Karungo said the President cannot genuinely seek forgiveness from the youth while punishing dissenting voices within his own party.
“You ask dead Gen Zs to forgive you, yet you cannot forgive others. You cannot even forgive a young Kisii girl called Gloria Orwoba,” he posted.
Questioning Ruto’s apology
President Ruto had, during the National Prayer Breakfast held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, extended an apology to Gen Z for the state’s excessive response to last year’s protests against the 2024 Finance Bill.
The demonstrations, driven by rising youth frustration over high taxation and the cost of living, were met with police crackdowns that left several dead, injured, or missing.
Karungo, a vocal ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said the President’s words must be matched by accountability.
“The best way to ask for forgiveness is to do the RIGHT thing, uphold the law, compensate victims, stop excessive taxation, end the weaponisation of state agencies, and above all, skiza ground,” he said, urging leaders to listen to public sentiment.
Orwoba’s seat vacated
His remarks come a week after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi declared Gloria Orwoba’s seat vacant following her expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
A Gazette Notice dated May 21, 2025, confirmed the move under Article 101(2) of the Constitution.
Orwoba was removed over alleged disloyalty, with UDA accusing her of aligning with former Interior CS and 2027 presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i.
Her dismissal has drawn criticism from human rights defenders who view it as a politically motivated move to silence alternative voices.
Call for justice
During the prayer event, President Ruto called for unity across generations, saying, “We want to build the relationship that will make our country great. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged young people to show respect to elders, even as they are heard.”
But Karungo insisted that true unity begins with justice: “Forgiveness starts with doing what is right, not punishing those who speak truth to power.”
