Nairobi, Kenya – A meeting organized by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party officials to engage with the youth took an unexpected turn on Thursday when some attendees disrupted the session with chants of “Ruto must go” at the Bomas of Kenya.
The event, which was aimed at discussing youth empowerment and national development, quickly descended into chaos after the crowd grew hostile during a speech by UDA Digital Strategist, Denis Itumbi.
In a video circulating widely online, Itumbi was forced to stop his speech as agitated youths shouted slogans, accusing the government of deceiving the public.
The disruption occurred when Itumbi began to discuss the controversial Adani deal, which has been at the center of economic debates in recent months.
As Itumbi defended the deal as beneficial for Kenya, a section of the crowd erupted in anger, demanding that he stop “lying” about the government’s handling of the matter.
The meeting, which had been intended to promote the government’s agenda among the youth, instead became a stage for expressing dissatisfaction with President William Ruto’s administration.
What was meant to be a calm and informative session turned into a reflection of growing frustrations over economic issues, particularly the cost of living and alleged government corruption.
Among those who responded to the incident was former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Wakhungu Malalah, who addressed the chaotic scenes, blaming the disorder on poor planning and the decision to handpick attendees who were financially incentivized to show support for the government.
Malalah’s Criticism of Paid AudiencesSpeaking shortly after the event, Malalah condemned the disruption, stating that such incidents were the result of political organizers paying people to attend government forums.
“When you bring people to a meeting simply because you paid them to show up, you are not going to have genuine dialogue,” said Malalah.
“The people at that meeting were not interested in the government’s agenda because they don’t see it benefiting them directly. They are frustrated, and when you try to pacify them with money, this is the result.
”Malalah, who has previously held a prominent position within UDA, expressed concern that such tactics undermine the government’s credibility and prevent meaningful conversations with the youth.
“We cannot expect to have sincere engagement with the youth if we are more focused on assembling crowds for optics rather than substance,” he added.
His comments highlight growing criticism from various quarters that the current administration is not sufficiently addressing the concerns of the common Kenyan, especially on issues such as unemployment, the high cost of living, and allegations of corruption, including deals like the controversial Adani investment.
Violence at Political ForumsThe event at Bomas of Kenya is just the latest in a string of politically charged gatherings where discontent has boiled over into public demonstrations.
Malalah warned that unless the government changes its approach to engaging the youth, such disruptions could become more frequent.
“The government must create a platform where young people feel heard, not bought. If we do not address their grievances with sincerity, they will continue to express their frustrations, sometimes violently,” Malalah said.
Following the incident, Denis Itumbi downplayed the disruption, describing it as a minor hiccup in an otherwise successful meeting.
However, observers have noted that the hostility on display is indicative of wider dissatisfaction among the youth with the government’s performance.
As the political temperature rises, especially in relation to economic challenges, it remains to be seen how the UDA government will address the growing unrest.
For Malalah and others within the political space, it is a clear sign that paid crowds and superficial engagement will not suffice to quell the frustrations of a population increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction.
With tensions simmering, calls for a more transparent and honest dialogue between the government and the youth are likely to grow louder in the coming months, especially as issues like the Adani deal continue to spark controversy.
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