President William Ruto is handed a memoir by Rt Maj Marsden Madoka during its launch at State House, Nairobi, October 6, 2025. /PCSFormer Cabinet Minister Rtd Major Marsden Madoka has urged President William Ruto to find a lasting way to calm down the restless Gen Z generation, warning that their growing frustration and revolutionary zeal pose a challenge to his administration.
Speaking on Monday during the launch of his memoir At The Ready held at State House, Nairobi, Madoka told the President—who presided over the launch—that he does not envy him at this point in history, describing the moment as one of the most testing for any head of state.
“I don’t envy your task, particularly now,” Madoka said.
“We used to complain amongst ourselves with my friends that these young people will spoil for us, and now you can see how things are. So now, find a way you will calm them.”
His remarks seemed to echo the raw anxieties that have gripped the Ruto administration since June 2024, when the country was rocked by unprecedented youth-led protests that nearly brought the government to its knees.
The so-called Gen Z revolt was sparked by widespread anger over youth unemployment, the rising cost of living, and perceived opulence among state officials amid a ballooning public wage bill.
The demonstrations reached their peak on June 25, 2024, when protesters stormed Parliament after MPs defied public outrage and passed the controversial Finance Bill, 2024, which contained a raft of tax measures many Kenyans considered punitive.
Parts of the Parliament building were set ablaze in the chaos that followed, leaving several people dead and scores injured as armed anti-riot police repulsed the group to prevent further damage.
President Ruto, who protesters had now begun calling for his exit from office, initially dismissed the movement as “treasonous” and vowed a bitter lesson against those behind it.
But a day later, he softened his stance, admitting in a televised address to the nation that “the people have spoken and I have heard them.”
In a turn of events, Ruto fired his entire Cabinet—except for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi—effectively acknowledging the depth of public discontent.
It was this turbulent backdrop that framed Madoka’s message to the Head of State.
The former diplomat, who once served in President Daniel Arap Moi’s government in various senior-level capacities, including Foreign Affairs Minister, said he believes Kenya remains a great country but one that requires steady leadership and collective effort to heal and move forward.
“Let us all work towards improving this country of ours,” Madoka said, before turning directly to Ruto.
“May God bless you to lead this country well and for the rest of us to lend you a helping hand.”
He acknowledged the enormity of the presidency, saying it comes with responsibilities that no one person can fully satisfy.
“Being president of a nation is a big task because you cannot satisfy all of us,” he said.
Reflecting on his long career, Madoka recalled moments from the Kanu era when a number of MPs openly criticised President Moi.
He said he once used his diplomatic skills to convince them to give the Head of State space to work.
“Eventually they stopped, which I know helped Moi,” Madoka said with a light smile as if to pat himself on the back for a job well done.
“He (Moi) came and told me that ‘they have now changed; they are on the right track.’”
The retired general then playfully pointed at Ruto, reminding him that he was among the lot that gave Moi sleepless nights.
“Kwanza wewe, you were the most outspoken of that group,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Madoka, however, was quick to add that Ruto’s boldness reflected the firm leadership traits he continues to exhibit today.
In his own remarks, President Ruto used the occasion to reminisce about his political beginnings in the early 1990s.
He recounted how, despite being an unknown “underdog,” he defied the odds and powerful interests to win the Eldoret North parliamentary seat at the 1997 general election, defeating incumbent Reuben Chesire.
“The party had its preferred candidates, wealthy and well-known figures, while I was a complete outsider,” Ruto said.
“Moi came to Eldoret and told people to vote for those who were known. He mentioned the names of prominent individuals like Saina and Chesire. Then he said, ‘I hear there are some characters running around here that we don’t know, so be careful,’” he added, drawing laughter from the audience.
As Madoka reminded Ruto, the weight of the presidency remains heavy — and the restless youth, still nursing old wounds, are watching keenly how he steers the country forward as the 2027 general elections beckon on the horizon.
