ODM leader Raila Odinga has praised President William Ruto for extending an apology to Gen Zs during the recent National Prayer Breakfast terming the move by the head of state as a first step into the right direction towards national healing.

Speaking during the June 1st annual Madaraka day celebrations held at Homa Bay stadium Odinga acknowled that it was the first step towards reconsiliation.

This comes a few days after a backlash from a section of Gen Zs and opposition leaders who have been questioning the sincerity of the apology some calling it dishonest. Odinga on the contrary seems to be of a different opinion but insisted the gesture should be followed by compensating the families who lost their loved ones or suffered harm during those protests, emphasizing that justice must go beyond words.

“The apology was wonderful as a first step or reconciliation, but there is an issue of people who were injured and some died, we should do compensation so that we can have a closure of this chapter of national healing,” Odinga said.

Ruto had issued the apology in reference to the brutal crackdown on the 2024 finance bill demonstrations a period that was marred with chaos especially in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) which led to multiple casualties and human rights concerns.

Since entering into a broad-based alliance with President William Ruto, Raila Odinga has noticeably softened his stance against the Kenya Kwanza administration, a move that has not gone unnoticed by vocal opposition figures and civil society groups.

A number of them have called him out for turning a blind eye to the issues affecting the country ranging from high cost of living to unemployment.

Pressure is now mounting on the government to demonstrate genuine remorse as human rights organizations and some lawmakers continue to demand a public inquiry into the crackdown.