Ruto shouldn't ignore the 'kufa makanga, kufa dereva' slogan

President William Ruto [PCS]

When National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula suspended the debate on DP Gachagua’s impeachment motion to allow for public participation and ensure the process gained the requisite legitimacy, as provided for in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, no one anticipated the trajectory the process would ultimately take.

While the majority of Kenyans who participated in the public consultation expressed dissatisfaction with the DP’s performance and supported his impeachment, a particularly curious perspective emerged during the process: sporadic calls by the youth to have both the DP and his boss, President Ruto, removed from office.

The call for "kufa makanga, kufa dereva" (die the conductor, die the driver) took on a strange meaning in the context of the perceived rift between Ruto and his deputy. A section of Kenyans expressed a desire for a fresh start without either the President or the DP. A closer look at the demographic distribution of these dissenters reveals that most were Gen Z. Their views appeared to be at odds with those of older generations and the middle class, who preferred the peaceful exit of the DP while retaining the President.

The Gen Z position on the Gachagua issue may suggest that, although this group suspended its street demonstrations in June this year, they are not yet done with the President and the government.

In other words, Gen Z’s activities were prematurely suspended but not forgotten. The fact that young people are once again raising their voices against the President and his government should act as a wake-up call for the authorities to be cautious of the temporary calm and tranquillity.

There could be serious undercurrents that might break through in the not-too-distant future. The sporadic chaos witnessed across the country during the public participation process preceding the DP’s impeachment debate at the National Assembly suggests a temporary ceasefire. There appear to be unresolved issues with Gen Z, making the situation a ticking time bomb.

There is a general feeling among the youth that their concerns have not been comprehensively addressed. Key among their concerns are unemployment, the cost of living, access to education and training, and equal access to opportunities. These are pertinent issues that deserve government attention. However, the reality is that economic challenges cannot be fixed instantly. Instead, strategies must be implemented to address these issues on a sustainable basis.

This calls for a concerted effort to bring the youth on board, allowing them to appreciate the steps the government is taking to address their concerns raised during the Gen Z uprisings. The youth need to be productively engaged so they can channel their energy into productive activities and unleash their innovative potential. If the youth remain idle, the future of the country is at risk, with many opportunities lost.

The youth possess the energy, creativity, and stamina to enhance a country’s productivity. A nation loses its competitive edge if its productive activities are dominated by older people who, though experienced, may lack the ambition to work in technology-driven environments that define the modern workplace. Moreover, the future belongs to the youth, and if they cannot join their peers from around the world in shaping their desired future, they may become strangers in their own space. The implication is that others will define the future of Kenya while the youth remain mere observers. This is simply unacceptable. Gen Z is, therefore, fighting for a place in shaping the future that belongs to them. It is highly unlikely that their struggle is over.

Youth are known to fuel revolutions when they feel frustrated by the system and are not given the opportunity to address pertinent issues. Fortunately, the country has not yet reached that tipping point. It would be short-sighted for the government to assume that dissenting voices are inherently bad for the country. There is a social contract between the government and its citizens.

If both parties play their rightful roles as per the social contract, there will be no conflict. What Gen Z is essentially saying is that they want the government to fulfill its mandate. This is not dissent. By demanding action from the government on key issues affecting society, Gen Z is simply performing its civic duty, which should not be criminalized. The government still has an opportunity to pacify the youth through comprehensive programs that address their unique concerns.

It is crucial that this matter be taken seriously. The government must not view youth apprehension as something entirely driven by external factors, as doing so would criminalize the genuine and legitimate concerns of citizens.

On their part, the youth must avoid the temptation to taint their genuine concerns with political partisanship, which has the potential to obscure the important issues they are raising. In this regard, Gen Z must guard against infiltration by politicians who have personal grievances against Ruto and are determined to undermine every effort of the government, regardless of its sincerity.

The Gen Z agitation must be a clean process that includes workable proposals, taking into consideration the unique context of the economy. The youth must, therefore, be part of the search for solutions to the problems afflicting the country.

It would be unwise for the government to dismiss the “Kufa Makanga, Kufa Dereva” slogan as mere youthful excitement in the heat of the moment.