WATCH: Ruto Moves Thousands Of Youth With Speech In France Concert

The Kenyan Head of State, known by many for his flawless, articulate, inspiring and thought-provoking speech, moved the lively revellers with a tone of love and adoration in his welcoming remarks.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jun 23, 2023 - 14:02 Updated: Jun 23, 2023 - 14:04
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WATCH: Ruto Moves Thousands Of Youth With Speech In France Concert
Photo collage of President William Ruto addressing youth at the Champs de Mars, Paris, France, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. /GLOBAL CITIZEN

President William Ruto on Thursday, June 22 wowed thousands of concert-goers with his exemplary oratory skills during the Power our Planet Concert in Paris, France organized by Global Citizen while joining world leaders, global icons, celebrities and climate activists.

The concert, which took place in tandem with the Paris Summit, took place in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower and was held as a rallying cry to global leaders attending the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact to tackle the global climate and debt crises.

In front of a large crowd of attendees at the Champs de Mars Park in front of the famous tower, the Kenyan Head of State, known by many for his flawless, articulate, inspiring and thought-provoking speech, moved the lively revellers with a tone of love and adoration in his welcoming remarks.

President William Ruto addressing youth at the Champs de Mars, Paris, France, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. /GLOBAL CITIZEN

"Guys, I bring you greetings from Kenya, the land of the greatest marathoners. From the youngest continent in the globe, it is wonderful to see so many people from around the world in one of the most historic cities under the magnificent Eiffel Tower.

"The joy and the happiness exuded by all of us here I wish it could be shared around the world. The people of Kenya, Africa and many parts of the world live in the reality of the new normal," he addressed.

He then struck a powerful and serious tone regarding the climate crisis which has cost millions of lives to natural elements, and praised the solutions coined to mitigate the global problem, further calling for a global financial system in the war against climate change.

"The climate crisis is getting worse every year with millions losing their lives to drought, flash floods, heatwaves, cyclones and wildfires. Luckily, the solutions to make a difference are in our hands and when I see you, I see the future and the solution to the challenges that exist in our globe.

"At this global event, we call for a global financial system that supports climate-positive and green industrial growth powered by renewable resources. It should also provide affordable finance that can help all of us attain our goal of low carbon and a resilient world in line with the Paris Agreement of net zero by 2050," he told the buoyant crowd.

He then rallied the youth to turn up in Kenya for a visit during the Africa Climate Summit, slated to take place between September 4 and 6 in Nairobi, seen as an attempt to market the country's potential, including its tourism.

"I love you guys, see you in Nairobi in September. We will expect you in Nairobi on the 4th and 6th for the Africa Climate Summit where finally we will have the final discourse on a new financial system and on green resilient growth.

"Thank you very much, Asanteni sana, God bless you," concluded Dr Ruto.

Among those in attendance at the Paris concert included Kenyan environmentalist Elizabeth Wathuti, Kenyan-American climate storyteller Wawa Gatheru and Wangari Kuria, aka “Farmer on Fire,” an agri-fluencer (Agriculture Influencer) and mushroom farmer based in Kitengela, who was announced on Tuesday, April 11 as the winner of the 2023 Global Citizen Prize award in the Kenya category.

Kuria was recognised by the international education and advocacy organization based in Australia in the Citizen Award category for her stint as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Farmer on Fire Limited, an organization based in Nairobi which seeks to eliminate hunger and improve food production safety through digital means.

After speeches by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mia Mottley Prime Minister of Barbados and more climate change activists, singers Lenny Kravitz, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., Jon Batiste, Arya Starr and Joé Dwèt Filé took to the stage and thrilled the crowd with some of their best tunes. Watch Ruto's powerful speech below:

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