State warns its workers as youth vow to go back to streets today

The government has warned public servants over use of social media during protests.

The caution came as President William Ruto and the police warned the youth against participating in anti-government protests planned today.

Principal Secretary for Public Service Amos Gathecha said some workers, including those in Parliament and the Judiciary, have been participating in the anti-government protests through their social media platforms.

“The recent protests have heightened concerns about public servants’ roles and actions on social media, which have sometimes negatively portrayed the Government and notably contributed to the protests,” he said.

In a letter to all PSs, accounting officers and the Solicitor General, Gathecha noted a significant increase in the use of social media by public servants since the onset of the Gen Z protests, which led to the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024.

He said leakage of government documents and information has also been a cause of concern.

And speaking in Embu, President Ruto said demonstrations would plunge the country into chaos.

“We do not want chaos which can lead to loss of lives and destruction of property,” he said in Iriari.

Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli claimed intelligence reports showed there was a plan to infiltrate the demonstrations.

“In anticipation, we have ensured adequate deployment of security personnel. However, members of public are advised to take extra caution while in crowded areas that are likely to turn riotous,” said Masengeli.

He cautioned members of the public against contravening the Kenya Civil Aviation Act and Protected Areas Act by avoiding trespass on protected areas such as airports and the State House.

The epicentre

“All those planning to exercise their rights of participation in public demonstrations, presenting petition or assembling, should do so in compliance with the attendant laws.”

Authorities in Kitengela, which has been an epicentre of deadly demonstrations, ordered all bars and entertainment outlets be closed at 11pm yesterday ahead of the so-called Nane Nane protests.

“We have agreed with one voice that all entertainment joints be closed by 11pm Wednesday, to will allow our security operators monitor those who are allegedly brought to cause chaos in our county. We will not allow what we saw during the previous protests,” said County Commissioner James Taari.

He also banned protests along the Nairobi-Namanga-Arusha Highway.

But the youth insisted the protests will go on, asking police officers to dress in their official uniform and use marked vehicles.

The youth who spoke yesterday in Nairobi said they would treat as criminals non-uniformed officers and those using unmarked vehicles. 

Activist Kasmuel McOure called for countrywide demos, dismissing claims that they are anarchists.

A group calling itself National Coordination Provincial Committee for People’s Assemblies accused the government for “demobilising” their campaign.

It said instead of addressing grievances expressed by the youth, the State continued to treat the protesters as criminals.

The group said they would continue to agitate against corruption, joblessness, tribalism and nepotism.

“We must counter the narrative that the people in the streets are anarchists. We are indeed tribeless, as tribes have been used by the elite to divide us.”

“We are party-less, as the bourgeois political parties have betrayed us,” they said.

The group accused former Cabinet Secretaries Kithure Kindiki (Interior) and Aden Duale (Defence) for criminalising the well-intended protests. 

The protests, which have claimed more than 60 lives, started as a campaign against the Finance Bill, 2024 that sought to introduce punitive taxes.

The protests later escalated with calls for the resignation of President William Ruto, prompting the Head of State to dismiss his entire Cabinet. 

However, the return of some of the sacked Cabinet Secretaries has further fueled the anger of the protesters, leading to the plan for more demos.

“The youth want jobs, food, housing and basic life necessities to live a life of dignity, not rants from corrupt politicians helping themselves from public coffers. People need accountability, respect, and transparency in governance,” said the National Coordination Provincial Committee for People’s Assemblies. 

Yesterday, Some officials in Raila Odinga party ODM, which has been given four slots in Ruto’s Cabinet, rejected the call for protests.

Nairobi ODM chairman, George Aladwa, called on those behind the demonstrations to call them off.

Report Jacinta Mutura, Okumu Modachi, Emanuel Kipchumba, Peterson Githaiga