Nairobi, May 28 : President William Ruto has apologised to Tanzania and the younger generation of Kenyans during the National Prayer Breakfast held in Nairobi on Wednesday, amid rising diplomatic and public tensions.

Ruto made the remarks in response to a call by visiting American preacher Rickey Allen Bolden, who urged leaders to pursue reconciliation. The President addressed the fallout between Kenya and its neighbours, as well as criticism from the youth.

“From Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, please forgive us. Our friends from Uganda, if we have wronged you in any way, please forgive us,” Ruto said. “To our children, if there has been any misstep, we apologise. To our neighbours, if there has been any misstep, forgive us. We want to build relationships that will move our countries forward,” he added.

The apology comes in the wake of a diplomatic row sparked by the deportation of six Kenyans who had travelled to Tanzania to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The incident triggered online uproar, with social media users from both countries clashing over the move.

Meanwhile, American pastor and former NFL offensive lineman Rickey Bolden urged Kenyan leaders to apologize to Gen-Zs for the arrests and internet shutdown during the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.

“Wouldn’t it be beautiful if leaders stand up and say to our Gen Zs, ‘We had you arrested and we know that had to be traumatising, we are sorry. We shut down the internet, and we know that that’s your primary source of communication, we are sorry'," he said.

Bolden went further to advocate for a change in how the youth are treated by those in power, calling for inclusion and recognition of their role in shaping the nation's future.

"Tell them, 'now we want to bring you to the table so that you can have a voice because you are no longer a child; you are an adult, and we want to begin treating you like an adult,” he added.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki who was also in attendance, urged young people to show respect for authority and be open to guidance from older generations.

He emphasized that some of life’s most important lessons are not taught in school, but come through real-life experiences.

"We respectfully request our children to respect authority and also agree to be mentored and supported, so that mutually, even as we respect them and apologize when we are wrong, they should equally respect older people, even if not for any other reason, simply because they are older.

"There are things that you will not learn in any college, but you will only learn them in the school of life," he said.