President William Ruto’s government faces a big test this week after protesters started mobilising for more demonstrations days after unveiling a broad-based administration.
The US has already warned against the use of force against protesters, telling President Ruto to protect the voices of Kenyan youths and civil society.
Besides the US warning, some Azimio leaders have backed Gen Z saying President Ruto’s Cabinet changes were a slap in the face of the youthful protesters.
Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to stand with Gen Z, saying their demands must be implemented fully to transform Kenya.
The youthful protesters are already mobilising online for another round of protests on Tuesday to put more pressure on the government to carry out other reforms.
President Ruto and the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken last Thursday held a phone conversation on the state of affairs in the country.
Blinken urged Ruto to ensure the security forces in the country are held accountable for their actions.
“In a call with Kenyan President Ruto @SecBlinken reiterated the need to defend and protect the voices of youth, civil society, and media. The Secretary also underscored that the security forces need to be held accountable,” said a statement from Blinken’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller.
The president’s decision to form a government of national unity also faces a major test with eyes on the protesters to see if the move quelled their anger.
President Ruto picked four opposition luminaries into his Cabinet as he moved to firm up his administration after weeks of sustained protests by youths across the country.
Analysts said Ruto’s decision to incorporate opposition bigwigs into his government was part of his elaborate strategy to pacify the country by projecting an all-inclusive administration.
This is the first week of planned protests since President Ruto named the four ODM heavyweights into his Cabinet after firing nearly half of his ministers in radical changes.
Speaking last Wednesday when he unveiled the first batch of his Cabinet at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto said he was determined to form a broad-based government.
“It is therefore critically important to constitute a more inclusive government that unlocks the potential of citizens from all sectors to drive national transformation,” he said on July 19.
Youthful protesters have insisted that they will continue with their demonstrations against the government despite President Ruto addressing some of their demands.
President Ruto on July 21 warned against Gen Z protests saying going forward, he will ”protect the nation”.
Ruto said he had given everybody a chance to air their views but accused Gen Z of running away from dialogue despite his proposal for a multi-sectoral forum.
The president said he had already given a lot of concessions as demanded by the protesters including rejecting the Finance Bill, of 2024, yet protests continue.
“I dropped the Finance Bill, I called them to come to the table and talk to me, they refused and asked me to go to X, I went there but they ran away,” Ruto said.
“I have called them for talks but they have refused saying they are faceless and formless. I have told them, my friends, It must now come to an end, I have given a chance to everybody to say whatever they want.’’
The protests have been mostly organised online and have stood out for their broad mobilisation of Kenyans across ethnic and regional lines.
Demonstrators have condemned the entire political class as corrupt and called for far-reaching reforms to address graft and poor governance.
It is not clear if the protesters were behind some names of proposed political parties that were rejected by the registrar of political parties last week.
Simon Maina Mwangi had written to ORPP requesting to have the names reserved but the request was turned down for non-compliance.
The names he sought reserved are Gen-Z Movement, Gen-Z National Movement, Gen-Z People’s Alliance, Gen-Z People’s Movement, Gen-Z Democratic Party, Gen-Z Alliance Movement, Gen-Z Democratic Movement, Gen-Z Political Party, Gen-Z United Movement and Gen-Z Alliance Party.
“Your application has been considered by law and the names suggested have been rejected as the names do not promote inclusivity, hence against Article 91(1) of the constitution,” the ORPP said in a letter dated July 11, 2024.
Another application by John Onyango Ogenga to have the name Gen-Z party reserved was equally rejected by the ORPP for similar grounds.
Ogenga has since moved to the Political Parties Tribunal to appeal the decision.
On Sunday, Nakuru Gen Z converged at Nyayo Gardens to honor Kenyans who died during the anti-Finance Bill, 2024 protests.
Residents turned up in their hundreds, prayed and observed a moment of silence for those who were killed during the protests.
They held Kenyan flags and waved in the air during the event where entertainment was in plenty.
The mass action against the government started on June 18 fueled by Parliament’s determination to pass the Finance Bill despite widespread opposition.
The government said it sought to raise Sh346 billion in extra revenue to run its programs in the 2024-25 financial year.
President William Ruto eventually bowed to pressure and withdrew the Bill after protesters died on the front-line during Occupy Parliament protests on June 25.
The Bill has since been withdrawn by the National Assembly.
The President then introduced a raft of measures in the government including austerity measures to cut government spending.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi on Wednesday, Ruto said he would push amendments to anti-graft laws to ensure all corruption cases are cleared within six months.
“What has emerged as the foremost national concern requiring urgent and decisive action is the vexing matter of corruption,” the President said.
He stated that his administration would propose amendments to the Evidence Act, and the Criminal Procedure Code, among other necessary legislative amendments to all statutes relating to corruption.
The proposed changes will expedite the investigation and prosecution of corruption and economic crimes and provide for their conclusion within six months.
“We shall also be proposing amendments to the Witness Protection Act to overhaul the statutory and institutional framework to protect and incentivize whistle-blowers,” the President said.
The Gen Z protesters still vowed to sustain their protests demanding accountability and better governance.
On Sunday evening, President Ruto said the Gen Z-led protests gave the country a chance to rebuild.
“Yale mambo yametokea, sio maneno mabaya zaidi kwa sababu yametupatia nafasi ya kutengeneza Kenya mpya,” Ruto said.
(What we have witnessed is not so bad in the end because it has given us a chance to rebuild our country afresh).
