In the course of his political journey to becoming president, William Ruto has faced many challenges and obstacles. One can thus argue that he is persevering, tenacious and has a strong personality. His almost two years at the helm of the country’s leadership have revealed a leader who is hands-on, articulate and indefatigable, always attending several meetings daily not to mention the numerous trips abroad.
However, he now faces the biggest threat yet in his tenure: a youth-driven revolt triggered by the Finance Bill, 2024. In the course of Kenya’s history, demonstrations and civil disobedience have come to be associated with one man—Raila Odinga. Despite the huge following he commands, successive governments have found a formula for extinguishing the embers of Raila-led demos.
The introduction of the Finance Bill, 2024 has brought out a hitherto unexpected opposition: the youth, popularly referred to as Gen Z. Their modus operandi is markedly different. Fearless, well-educated, tech-savvy, well-coordinated and non-violent. A total shift from previous demonstrators. The security apparatus are groping in the dark unsure of how to stem the tide of the mounting rebellion.
In my opinion, the Finance Bill is just a trigger, a catalyst; a vent in a hitherto pent-up anger over the (mis)management of the country’s politics and economy. For keen observers, this was coming.
The ruling elite have always taken the youth for granted. The only time they become useful to them is when they are mobilising to advance their political interests. Thereafter, they become deniable assets and unwanted guests.
These are the youth who despite having the requisite credentials are sacrificed at the altar of tribalism and nepotism when employment opportunities arise. These are the youth who are arbitrarily killed, arrested and harassed by security apparatus and kanjo in the course of their hustles.
These are the youth who have endured condescending and arrogant words and actions from leaders, both online and physically. These are the youth being promised slave-like jobs in the Gulf while their dream is to harness their skills and be enabled to earn a decent livelihood in their motherland.
These are the youth being told the country is broke while government officials and politicians allied to the ruling party are flaunting their ill-gotten wealth in their faces. These young people are not stupid. They know most of these so-called ‘donations’ are proceeds of crime emanating from the very taxes meant for them.
Where I come from, there is a saying that when you eat to your fill, you should cover your belly. However, what Ruto’s henchmen are doing is shamelessly exposing their bulging bellies and belching in our direction. These young people are seeing a president who talks of austerity yet goes ahead to hire expensive private jets on his numerous foreign trips accompanied by all sorts of busybodies.
In the eyes of many Kenyans, the idea behind winning elections and forming government for Kenya Kwanza was not to serve and improve the livelihood of Kenyans. Rather, it was propelled by the urge to primitively acquire wealth using the state as leverage.
If the President is genuine about finding a lasting solution, he should drop the idea of saying he will engage with the young people. Indeed, as Gen Z put it, ‘the talking stage is over’. What they need is action. Here is a few things Ruto needs to do in my opinion:
First, leaders sometimes take advantage of crises to make tough decisions. In light of this, Ruto should take advantage of the prevailing national anger to throw all his non-performing and corrupt appointees under the bus. Kibaki took such drastic action after the loss of the 2005 referendum when he fired the entire cabinet.
Second, drop the idea of making illegal appointments such as CAS as it will only portray insensitivity to the public. Third, politics is about perception. He must talk to his ‘homeboys’ to go slow on the fundraisers and razzmatazz.
Finally, he must come up with concrete plans to tame wastage and expenditure in government. As many have opined, the problem is not revenue but wanton wastage and expenditure.
Lastly, an unsolicited advice to Ruto. What the young people have started is not about to fizzle out. The clouds are gathering. The air smells of a revolution. God forbid but should an ideologue emerge and take over the movement, not even the state’s security apparatus will be of help. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. The chicken might just come home to roost sooner rather than later.
Political scientist