- It was largely expected that Ruto’s decision to withdraw the impugned Finance Bill would appease protesters but this was not to be.
- The Gen Z have said the government does not need dialogue to demonstrate good governance and accountability or to implement their demands.
What started as dissent against the planned introduction of unpopular taxes deemed as punitive by many has slowly mutated into a supremacy battle of sorts with President William Ruto on one side and Gen Zs on the other.
It was largely expected that Ruto’s decision to withdraw the impugned Finance Bill, 2024 on June 26 would appease the masses and return the country to normalcy but this was not to be; the protests continued relentlessly.
The President further ceded ground and implemented austerity measures by slashing government expenditure, and on July 11, fired his entire Cabinet save for Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi.
The move appeared to have cooled down temperatures seeing that come Thursday, July 18, not a soul was visible on the streets in the name of protests despite days of readying for what Gen Z had dubbed ‘total shutdown’.
The following day, the President did what was largely unexpected by naming six of his former CSs among 11 nominees as part of the first batch of his new-look Cabinet.
The move was met with outrage and appeared to have reignited a feeling of disdain among the Gen Z who said they would return to the streets come Tuesday.
Ruto, on Sunday, said “enough is enough” and vowed to ‘crush’ the protests.
“Going forward, we will protect the nation; we will protect life, we will protect property, we will stop the looters, we will stop the killers, we will stop anarchy because Kenya is a democracy and we want a peaceful stable nation,” he said in Bomet.
The President said whatever issues the country currently faces should be resolved democratically, a step he said he already took and allowed the Gen Z to ventilate and air their grievances openly.
He said he has so far made several concessions including dropping the Finance Bill, appearing on X Space and forming the National Multi-Sectoral Forum (NMSF), which the young protesters refused to be part of.
“They have continued to say they are faceless and formless, I have told them I have given a chance to everybody to say whatever they want. It cannot continue like this, the country is much more important than any group of people,” the President said.
Gen Z on the other hand have said the government does not need dialogue to demonstrate good governance and accountability or to implement their demands.
They have said dialogue is not needed for those who killed protesters to be held to account, for the public debt to be audited, for corrupt officials to be sacked or for medical interns to be posted.
The lot has also described it as a slap to their face the President’s decision to nominate members of his previous Cabinet as part of his proposed broad-based government of national unity.
They said they want a total overhaul of the Cabinet.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga who Ruto appeared to have banked on to help appease the protesters has taken a step back and thrown his weight behind the Gen Z.
It was largely believed that the former Prime Minister had endorsed the unity government idea and was willing to be part of the arrangement but apparent opposition from within his ranks in Azimio threw the plan into disarray.
On Sunday, Raila released a statement addressed to Gen Z in which he sought to “clear the air” after days of backlash from the group for what they termed as betrayal for agreeing to be part of the talks they have distanced themselves from.
“I agree that justice must come first before any talks. Towards this end I stand with you that there must be compensation for every victim of police brutality,” Raila said.
The Azimio boss proposed that once this demand and others enumerated by Gen Z are met, there should be a national convention in a neutral venue where Kenyans discuss critical issues facing the country.
He listed good governance, skyrocketing cost of living, eradicating tribalism, fighting corruption and debt and fiscal management.
“I propose that representatives for this convention should come from various sectors including youth, government, religious leaders, health care professionals, lawyers, and teachers,” Raila said.
The Azimio chief appealed to Gen Z to consider accommodating the national convention approach even as he reassured them he related to their concerns.
“To the young people of Kenya, you all must know that I’m deeply moved by your dedication to the cause; and I believe a structured dialogue will bring the reforms you are fighting for and safeguard Kenya for your future,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether Gen Z will take this advice and stand down or they will stick to their guns and pour into the streets on Tuesday, notwithstanding Ruto’s warning on Sunday.
“Our issues are resolved using democratic means,” he said as he vowed to stop the protests.