A New Era of Civic Engagement: President Ruto’s Groundbreaking Dialogue on X Spaces

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This marked a significant first for Kenya, potentially a turning point in civic engagement. President William Ruto’s willingness to participate in a live audio discussion on X Spaces was highly anticipated, coming just 10 days after deadly anti-government protests.
However, the beginning was somewhat rocky. Participants faced connectivity issues, with several false starts. Eventually, the session was hosted by Osama Otero, a key voice in the movement against a controversial finance bill. His role allowed him to control who could speak during the discussion, heightening the stakes.
Participants posed direct and challenging questions to the president regarding his government’s actions. Otero set a confrontational tone, asking, “Are we in a terrorist country?” in reference to the brutal police response to the protests, which resulted in numerous fatalities. He questioned the official casualty figures, suggesting that the true number was much higher.
Miller, a cameraman who witnessed a protester being shot, expressed his frustration, asking, “Do we really matter as people who elected you?” Meanwhile, Marvin Mabonga, an unemployed graduate, criticized the president’s cabinet for incompetence.
As the conversation turned to the casualties of recent protests, the host inquired whether Ruto had reached out to affected families. The president claimed he had contacted the mother of a 12-year-old who was shot.
This event illustrated how social media has transformed discourse in Kenya, providing a direct platform for citizens to engage with their leaders. Unlike previous presidents, Ruto exposed himself to real-time public scrutiny, setting a new precedent for accountability.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, by contrast, had deactivated his X account in response to public criticism. While online activism isn’t new, this level of engagement represents a significant escalation.
Ruto’s X Space peaked at 163,000 participants, highlighting the growing importance of social media in amplifying public concerns about laws, taxes, and government accountability. Although this figure may seem modest relative to Kenya’s population of over 56 million, it reflects the potential for online discussions to resonate in the wider community.
Overall, Ruto’s participation in this forum demonstrates a commitment to transparency and sets a strong precedent for future leaders.