A section of Kenyans on X have vowed to massively boycott President William Ruto’s X Space session scheduled for today, July 5, from 2 pm to 5 pm. Instead, they are organizing their own parallel X Space to counter the Head of State’s planned engagement. This move has sparked a significant online buzz, with thousands rallying to discredit the President’s initiative.
The announcement of President Ruto’s X Space session was intended to provide an open platform for dialogue with the public. However, the reaction from many Kenyans was swift and critical. Dissenters argue that it is not the President’s role to dictate the timing and structure of such conversations, but rather the prerogative of the citizens, who consider themselves the President’s Constitutional employers.
Over the past few weeks, the airwaves and streets of Kenya have been charged with expressions of public discontent. Demonstrations, tweets, essays, printed t-shirts, and placards have all been mediums through which Kenyans have voiced their grievances. Despite these clear and repeated messages, the President and his administration appear to have chosen the X Space as a method to engage with the public, a decision that has been met with considerable skepticism and resistance.
Many Kenyans question the timing and necessity of the President’s X Space session. They feel that their demands have already been unequivocally pronounced and that the President’s decision to host an online conversation comes off as an attempt to sidestep the more direct forms of communication and protest they have employed. The sentiment among the dissenting Kenyans is one of frustration and determination, with many seeing the parallel X Space as an opportunity to reassert their voices and take control of the narrative.
As the clock ticks closer to the scheduled time, the anticipation builds. The parallel X Space, set up by the defiant Kenyans, is expected to draw significant attention, potentially overshadowing the President’s own session. This showdown highlights the growing divide between the government and sections of the populace, emphasizing the need for genuine and effective communication channels that respect the citizens’ agency and voices.
The unfolding events of today will likely set a precedent for how digital platforms can be used for political discourse in Kenya. Whether the President’s session will succeed in bridging the gap or if the parallel X Space will dominate the conversation remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the eyes of the nation, and indeed many around the world, will be watching closely to see how this digital duel plays out.
