Ruto revives ‘Hustler’ wave with youth empowerment drive ahead of 2027 polls
The president also announced plans to employ more than 40,000 youths through the Climate WorX programme, aimed at securing their livelihoods and futures.
After losing touch with youths who played a significant role in leading protests and voicing dissatisfaction with his administration, President William Ruto is seeking to revive the ‘Hustler’ blitz that propelled him to power in the 2022 General Election.
On Saturday, Ruto invited thousands of young people from low-income backgrounds to State House as he sought to endear himself to the masses and secure re-election with programmes targeting small businesses in Nairobi.
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His administration has been holding empowerment forums nationwide to uplift Kenyans. Political observers see this renewed attempt to woo young voters as a strategy to regain their support after a tumultuous period marked by widespread discontent.
Political analyst Samuel Owida told the Eastleigh Voice that the youth vote is too significant for the president to ignore.
“Definitely, he cannot avoid reaching out to the youth. He used the ‘Hustler’ narrative last time to win their support, and he is at it again because he believes they will re-elect him. Whether his plans succeed depends on what the opposition offers the youth,” said Owida.
He added that Ruto’s plans to win over young voters may falter if the opposition produces a strong alternative for what he described as a restless and politically aware population.
“If the opposition comes up with a solid plan that young people will like and adopt, then Ruto’s empowerment initiatives will be seen as mere gimmicks to entice them ahead of the election,” Owida observed.
During the Nairobi Empowerment Forum at State House, the president announced a wide range of benefits for the youth. The event was attended by several city leaders, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, and most of Nairobi’s MPs.
Ruto oversaw the distribution of items intended to support local businesses and groups, including 300 motorcycles for various boda boda associations; public address systems; salon equipment; car wash machines; sewing machines; laundry equipment; catering tools; maize milling machines; welding and carpentry kits; garage equipment; tents and chairs; and water tanks.
The president said these items, running into the hundreds, would be issued to Nairobi residents who organised themselves into groups for fair allocation.
Large crowds turned up at the State House for the occasion, which also featured live musical performances.
Ruto dismissed claims that inviting ordinary citizens to the State House lowered the institution’s standards. “Kuna jamaa mmoja alisema nimeshusha standard ya State House,” he said. “I have just invited the citizens to come to the State House. Every person matters for equality in Kenya.”
He reiterated that the State House belongs to all Kenyans and that opening its doors to ordinary people elevates rather than diminishes it. “Unajua hapa State House, zamani waliokuwa wanakuja ni wale wadosi tu… siku hizi watu walioko pale ni watu tu hivi hivi,” he said, adding that his leadership is centred on grassroots citizens rather than elites.
The president also announced plans to employ more than 40,000 youths through the Climate WorX programme, aimed at securing their livelihoods and futures.
This comes as opposition leaders accuse the Kenya Kwanza government of failing to deliver on its promises and attempting to hoodwink Kenyans.
Ruto’s staunch supporters, however, have defended his empowerment agenda. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma described the president’s gesture of welcoming youths to the State House as timely.
“Former President Mwai Kibaki shut us out of State House once we made him President, while he was in a wheelchair. I never entered the State House when Uhuru Kenyatta was President, even though I was a Member of Parliament and a State Officer. Thank you, President Ruto, for making State House the House for all Kenyans,” Kaluma said.
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