Kenyan Youth Call for Ruto’s Resignation, Consider New Protests

President William Ruto’s decision to dismiss most of his cabinet has been met with skepticism and discontent among young Kenyans, who have vowed to resume street protests unless he steps down.

Ruto’s administration faced a severe crisis following violent protests against proposed tax increases, sparked by widespread discontent and organized largely by young, Gen-Z Kenyans via online platforms. These protests forced Ruto to withdraw the finance bill containing the tax hikes.

In an attempt to ease tensions, Ruto announced the dismissal of all cabinet ministers except Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. While this move was welcomed by some, many young Kenyans remain frustrated with Ruto’s failure to fulfill his election promises of job creation and economic improvement.

Hyrence Mwangi, 25, expressed disillusionment, stating, “We will continue protesting until Ruto resigns. He has wasted two years traveling and deceiving us.”

Initially peaceful demonstrations turned violent when police fired at protesters who stormed parliament, exacerbating public anger. Although large-scale protests have subsided, resentment toward the government persists, particularly toward the police, with rights groups reporting 39 deaths during the demonstrations.

Jackson Rotich, 27, remarked, “When we first protested, Ruto dismissed us as hired thugs, only to later promise changes. We cannot trust him.”

Melisa Agufana, a 24-year-old law student, cautiously acknowledged Ruto’s cabinet reshuffle, criticizing ministers for accomplishing little beyond ceremonial duties.

Political analysts view Ruto’s cabinet overhaul as an opportunity for a fresh start but warn of potential challenges in forming a new cabinet that satisfies diverse interests while calming public discontent.

Gabrielle Lynch, a professor at the University of Warwick specializing in comparative politics, cautioned, “Ruto faces the challenge of forming a new cabinet amidst widespread anger and discontent.”

In response to the economic crisis exacerbated by the protests, Ruto announced austerity measures, including budget cuts and increased borrowing, leading to further economic strain and a downgrade in Kenya’s debt rating by Moody’s.

Ruto pledged to engage in extensive consultations to form a new government, aiming for broader political representation without providing further details.