Kenya’s Ruto proposes youth dialog forum

Kenya’s President William Ruto has suggested creating a multi-sectoral group to facilitate dialog with the country’s youth following weeks of anti-government protests. Nation newspaper reports that the proposed 100-member national forum will include nominees from student leadership, as well as civil society, religious organisations, professional bodies, businesses, academia, national assembly leadership, and the council of governors.

The announcement follows last week’s unprecedented scenes that left parts of Parliament ablaze as protests over a finance bill recommending tax hikes turned deadly. The death toll from protests in Kenya climbed to 13 after anti-tax hike rallies turned violent and police opened fire at demonstrators.