President William Ruto made a public appearance at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Friday, June 27, to commemorate World MSME Day, just 24 hours after Gen Z-led protests gripped the nation, leaving at least 16 people dead and hundreds injured.

The event, organized by the State Department for MSME Development, aimed to spotlight the resilience of Kenya’s micro, small, and medium enterprises amid a tense national atmosphere following the violent demonstrations.

“Families dependent on these businesses now face uncertainty,” noted Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni, announcing the formation of a rapid response team to support microenterprises affected by the chaos.

The government is also fast-tracking business registration, partnering with insurers, and promoting digital payments to cushion entrepreneurs from the economic disruption.

The protests, which marked the first anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, were driven by Gen Z activists demanding justice for victims, accountability, and President Ruto’s resignation.

Nairobi’s CBD turned into a battleground as police deployed tear gas, water cannons, and live rounds, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights confirming that among the dead was a secondary school student.

Protesters chanted “Ruto must go” and waved national flags, prompting widespread closures of banks, markets, and shops.

In a joint statement, Western governments, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Canada condemned the state’s handling of the protests and called for respect for freedom of assembly, while raising alarms over the use of plainclothes officers and hired disruptors to interfere with peaceful demonstrations.

While President Ruto’s presence at the MSME event appeared aimed at projecting stability and economic focus, critics argue the gesture was tone-deaf in the face of national grief and rage.

“He hasn’t delivered on his campaign promises. Instead, taxes are rising, corruption is unchecked, and dissent is being crushed,” one opposition lawmaker said.

With Gen Z activists vowing to escalate their push, the KICC event, though celebratory in tone, unfolded against a backdrop of deepening political unrest and growing demands for reform.