Kenyan youths on Friday dismissed There is no moment of respite for the embattled Kenyan President, William Ruto as youths in his troubled country on Friday insist, he resigns as president.
Recall that the President as aftermath of the youth protest in the country has to sack most of his cabinet members.
But not assuaged by the President’s measure, the youths on Friday warned that they will resume street protests if the President fails to step down.
President Ruto has been scrambling to contain the fallout of deadly protests against proposed tax hikes in his country.
Recall that Kenyan youths last month, June, engaged in peaceful rallies, which snowballed into violence. As a result of the debilitating conditions of living in the country, the citizens tapped into widespread anger to stage protests against the government.
The protests, which was organized online and led largely by young, Gen-Z Kenyans, have plunged Ruto’s administration into the most serious crisis. The President has been forced to abandon the finance bill containing the tax hikes.
However, in the latest move to defuse tensions, Ruto on Thursday dismissed all cabinet ministers, including the Attorney-General. He, however, retained his Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
But the announcement, while welcomed by some, did not appease some young Kenyans. These are youths frustrated with Ruto’s failure to deliver on his 2022 election promise to create jobs and boost their fortunes.
According to a 25-year-old Hyrence Mwangi, we will be back on the streets until Ruto goes. “He has wasted two years in office traveling and telling lies,” he said.
Recall that the protest which was initially peaceful sharply escalated when police fired at crowds. However, the crowd surged into the parliament, ransacking and partly set the complex ablaze.
“While large-scale street protests have subsided, anger against the government has not, particularly towards the police. This is even as rights groups in the country claim that 39 people were killed in the demonstrations.
A 27-year-old Jackson Rotich said, “When we first went to the streets, Ruto dismissed us as a bunch of hired goons and criminals. Only to come later and start saying he will make changes. We can’t trust him.”
A 24-year-old Law student, Melisa Agufana, said she wanted to “thank the President for listening”. She added that ministers had “wasted two years doing nothing apart from being driven around with our national flag.”
However, Analysts said the move by the President offered the possibility of a fresh start but. They warned of further risks.
A Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Warwick, Gabrielle Lynch told AFP, “The challenge that Ruto now faces is forming a new cabinet that includes various vested interests, whilst simultaneously calming popular anger.”
Recall that last week, Ruto announced sharp cuts to government spendings. These included travel and refurbishment costs.
The President also said he would increase borrowing to pay for some services. This is even as Kenya grapples with massive foreign debt equivalent to roughly 70 percent of GDP.
According to reports, the crisis in the country has led US-based Moody’s to downgrade Kenya’s debt rating. It further graded the country into junk territory. The group warned of a negative outlook, which will make borrowing even more expensive for the cash-strapped government.
To help him to make a sweeping reform, Ruto on Thursday, said he would “immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations.” He stated that the aim is to set up a broad-based government. The President, however, did not elaborate further.
source: Leadership
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