Civil Society Denounces President’s Apology Amid Rising Outrage Over Injustice and Economic Mismanagement -

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By James Onsinyo,

A coalition of civil society groups led by the Okoa Uchumi Campaign has forcefully rejected President William Ruto’s recent apology, dismissing it as hollow and inadequate in the face of deepening national grievances.

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The president’s statement, delivered during a public address, offered what critics described as a vague and conditional expression of regret — one that failed to address the widespread violence, abductions, and systemic failures under his administration.

Okoa Uchumi and its partner organizations argue that the government’s response has trivialized the pain of grieving families and an outraged public. The president’s words — “if there was any misstep, we apologize” — have been condemned as evasive and insincere, especially following the reported deaths of over 60 young protesters and the disappearance of nearly 90 citizens, including journalists and government critics.

“There is no ‘if’ when the country is burying its youth and counting the disappeared,” said a spokesperson for Okoa Uchumi. “These apologies are performative — not reflective of accountability, but of a leadership unwilling to confront its failures.”

The statement also criticized the government’s handling of international incidents, particularly its muted response to the reported mistreatment of Kenyan nationals in Tanzania. Rather than demanding justice, civil society leaders say, President Ruto rushed to placate foreign counterparts while ignoring the safety and dignity of his own people.

The groups have issued a list of demands grounded in constitutional principles, including a national inquiry into state-sponsored violence, independent audits of public debt, and restoration of critical social services gutted in the latest national budget.

Dubbed “a Budget of Betrayal,” the 2025/2026 fiscal plan has drawn widespread backlash for slashing allocations to education, health, and senior citizens while increasing funding for the presidency, security, and ceremonial expenditures. Activists argue that the spending plan reflects a government more invested in spectacle than service.

“Kenya is not in a revenue crisis, but a crisis of priorities,” Okoa Uchumi declared. “Billions are spent on executive luxuries while essential services suffer. Meanwhile, local suppliers go unpaid and the country slides deeper into debt distress.”

The coalition emphasized that its campaign is not anti-government but pro-accountability. At the heart of its demands are calls for the full implementation of Chapter Six and Article 10 of the Constitution — which mandate integrity, transparency, and public participation in governance.

Among the specific calls to action:

A people-led inquiry into extrajudicial killings and disappearances.

Criminal investigations into corruption across key sectors.

Transparent debt audits and renegotiation of illegitimate loans.

Protection of Kenyans working and living abroad.

A shift in budget priorities to restore funding for essential public services.

Okoa Uchumi concluded its statement with a stark warning: “We are done with apologies at prayer breakfasts. We want justice written into law, leadership grounded in accountability, and a government that listens not just in times of crisis, but in everyday policy and practice.”