By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Parents, guardians and clergy would advise their children to tone down and follow the law. Initially you had good intentions but unfortunately your protests were later infiltrated by goons and criminal gangs. Keep off!
- When elections are called, you will have an opportunity to exercise your democratic and constitutional right. You are our children and we love you so much. We are tired of burying you.
- It is worth noting when Generation-Z kicked off the protests many Kenyans were made to believe that their bone of contention was the Finance Bill, 2024.
- As a result, they turned up in large numbers to support them and show their solidarity.
As Generation-Z resumes their demonstrations today, I want to share the views I had gathered from a cross section of Kenyans.
They are totally opposed to their game-plan of plotting to overthrow the government of President William Ruto.
GenZ have in the recent past been posting in social media #RutoandGachagua MustGo.
Their strategy is ill-advised and totally unacceptable. Kenya is not a banana republic.
It is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. President Ruto was popularly and democratically elected and so attempting to forcibly remove him from office is treasonable.
The constitution provides that a general election should be held after five years.
Therefore, those opposed to President Ruto’s leadership should wait for his five year term to end.
GenZ will be free to choose and vote for the candidate of their choice as President.
That is if by then they will have registered as voters.
Parents, guardians and clergy would advise their children to tone down and follow the law. Initially you had good intentions but unfortunately your protests were later infiltrated by goons and criminal gangs. Keep off!
When elections are called, you will have an opportunity to exercise your democratic and constitutional right. You are our children and we love you so much. We are tired of burying you.
It is worth noting when Generation-Z kicked off the protests many Kenyans were made to believe that their bone of contention was the Finance Bill, 2024.
As a result, they turned up in large numbers to support them and show their solidarity.
In the wake of mounting pressure, President Ruto was left with no option other than to come down.
Then he stated: I have listened and heard message of the young people.
They have come up with a raft of demands they want me to address.
Topping the list is Finance Bill 2024. They have asked me not to sign it and I have conceded. I will not sign it into law.
President Ruto have since addressed the rest of the demands including dissolving the whole cabinet, unveiling a raft of austerity measures and scrapping of unconstitutional offices starting with those of the First Lady and spouse of Deputy President.
He also put on hold the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs).
Besides, he scrapped confidential accounts and immediately stopped the renovation of government offices. He also stopped top government officials from travelling outside the country. My office will only approve essential trips.
But it has since emerged these demands were just a trigger.
Some of the radical Generation-Z protestors had other plans.
So far, the push by the youths is widely perceived as being plan less, anti-infiltration strategy less and post Ruto/transitional less.
Kenyans have realized this. If we follow these young people blindly, we are going to regret.
These young people are exhibiting dangerous mentality of know-it-all, entitlement and dictatorship.
They have been telling off those who are older than them.
Turning to Politicians and religious leaders, they would tell them.
Stay away. You failed us. We are going to liberate this country and you will reap the fruits of our sweat and blood.
I have been listening to the narratives of Generation-Z.
They do not understand the history of this country and most of them have little or no knowledge on matters of law and constitutional imperatives.
I heard one of them lecturing a group old people. “Our plan is to force President Ruto to resign. We are going to replace him with former CS Fred Matiangi (President) and former CS Mutahi Kagwe as DP”.
This Gen-Z did not want to be corrected.
But for those who care to listen, this is what will happen.
The constitution provides that the Deputy President takes over and serve for the remainder of the term. If Gen-Z does not want Gachagua, then it means the military will take over.
The constitution does not however anticipate a military de’tat.
Those who have been ruled my military in other countries would tell you. This is the worst form of governance. It is dictatorial, oppressive and ruthless
It is not a guarantee that the military will soon agree to hand over power back to civilians.
The crisis can worsen and take long before it is resolved.
Remember the military will have an upper hand during the negotiations.
So, the other question is. Who will they hand over power to? The power might end up in the wrong hands.
This is what happened in countries such as Egypt, Chad, Sudan, Mali.
The citizens thought they have won after toppling their respective President through popular uprising.
But alas, the worst form of dictatorship creeped back.
Though Generation-Z and millennials have been reiterating that they have no time for the opposition leaders, the leaders are still supporting them.
To me, they are simply doing this for political reasons.
If the game plan of Gen-Z succeeds, they think they will immediately step out and fill the vacuum.
This is a wishful thinking. Who told them that Gen-Z will just step aside?
While being bouyed by the triumph, they will come out to fight for their space.
I’m sure they will still stood their ground that you are old and have been at helm of power. So, you are part of the problem. Your time is over.
This will create confusion and plunge our country into anarchy.
Let me give opposition leaders in Kenya free advice. As media reports indicated, Generation-Z were not alone. They were powerful people who were pulling the string from behind.
These are the same people who will advise them not to give way.
For President Ruto, it is not too late in the day. He still have time to redeem and spruce up his image.
Come 2027 polls, you will ignore him at your own peril. He stands a high chance of getting re-elected to serve his second and final term.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Political Analyst Based In Nairobi
