Ruto government groping in the dark as Gen Z step up protests

President William Ruto addresses residents after inspecting the ongoing construction of Nakuru Bus park at Nakuru East Constituency in Nakuru City on July 15, 2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

President William Ruto’s administration has continued to give different versions of who or what has triggered the nationwide anti-government protests by Generation Z.

While his deputy Rigathi Gachagua claimed, a few weeks ago that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was trying to frame him and former President Uhuru Kenyatta as financiers of the anti-government protests, the President publicly accused the American-funded Ford Foundation of financing the ongoing anti-government protests.

This came just a week after Ruto told a crowd in Kajiado County of unnamed foreign entities that were behind the demonstrations driving his administration up the wall.

He also appeared to dismiss claims that the protests characterized by violence and chaos were not organic but are being funded by foreign non-governmental organizations.

On Monday, Ruto called out the Ford Foundation to come out clearly and state its agenda, saying Kenya is a democratic country.

“We have no use for anarchy, violence, loss of lives, and destruction of property. We know them, they are sponsoring violence against our democratic nation.” Ruto told a crowd in Keringet, Kuresoi South in Nakuru County on Monday.

“Nataka kuwauliza watu wa Ford Foundation watuambie hiyo pesa wanatoa ifanye fujo wanatoa wapate faida gani? We are asking them to style up or leave (I want to ask Ford Foundation to come clean on the money they have been giving to fund anarchy. What do they stand to benefit?)” Ruto said.

He added; “The young people in Kenya are not available to cause violence and anarchy in their own country. “

“We want peace in Kenya, we have no use for anarchy, destruction of property, and loss of lives. We want to call out those behind sponsoring violence in Kenya.  Shame on them. They are sponsoring violence in a democratic country. If they are going to sponsor violence, if they are going to sponsor anarchy I want them to either style up or they leave.”

The president's remarks appear to differ with a theory advised by his deputy who suggested a while ago that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was trying to frame him and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He accused NIS boss Noordin Haji of hatching a plot to frame them (him and Uhuru) as key financiers and the hidden faces behind the anti-government protests.

A search on the Ford Foundation’s website revealed that the non-governmental organisation has funded numerous pro-democracy activities in the country.

Some of the initiatives being supported by the NGO are Transparency International Kenya, Mzalendo Trust, This Ability Trust among many other programs to strengthen democracy, transparency, accountability, and good governance in the country.

Ford Foundation also supported human rights activities. It has yet to respond to the president’s remarks.

However, the president exuded confidence in tone and manner as he pushed back on the recent spate of deadly protests by young people, saying he was ready to unite the country.

In his trademark Kaunda suit, addressing residents from the rooftop of his vehicle, he portrayed an image of a politician keen to rally Kenyans behind his agenda of a government of national unity.

Although he avoided talk on national dialogue which he promised to initiate this week, Ruto said he was ready and willing to consult with leaders and work with them.

“I am ready, I am willing, I am prepared to consult with many leaders willing to consult with us. If someone does not want to consult and work with me, I will not force them because Kenya is a democratic country.”  Ruto told a cheering crowd.

He announced that he will be naming members of his new cabinet next week after consultation.

The protestors have been conducting intense demonstrations in various cities and towns across most of the 47 counties demanding good governance, accountability, and jobs, and calling on the president to resign.

His tour in Nakuru County comes a few hours before a series of protests in various county headquarters by Gen Z to push for accountable governance.

The protests have been powered through social media and hashtags like ‘Ruto Must Go,’ ‘Occupy everywhere,’ and ‘Occupy Counties.’

Ruto seems to have begun the process of solidifying his political backyard after dismissing his cabinet safe for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

The president also appeared to be closing ranks with the young people after he announced the return of ‘Kazi Mtaani’ programme, which was rolled out by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta but discontinued soon after he assumed office in 2022 following claims of embezzlement of funds.

Addressing a crowd at the Nakuru Ultra-Modern Market, Ruto said he had listened to young people (women) who wanted the return of the program, and declared it would be rolled out next week.

"There are women here who have told me they want Kazi Mtaani. In that Kazi Mtaani, I have said starting next week, 500 people will be working here under that plan," he declared.

"This is so that we can make sure more young people can get employment opportunities."

The program enables eligible Kenyan youth to take up cleaning up exercise of government and public infrastructure in exchange for a daily stipend. 

The president, who was accompanied by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Governor Susan Kihika, Senator Tabitha Karanja, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, and a host of Nakuru elected leaders, held a series of roadside rallies in the city.

President Ruto issued a stern warning to those responsible for the Kware killings in Mukuru Kwa Njenga-Nairobi.

This comes after a man who confessed to the serial killings was arrested on Monday.

"Those responsible for the killings at Kware will be brought to book. They will be charged, said Ruto.

Ruto spoke as he inspected the Sh280 million Bus Park and Sh300 million Market under construction within Nakuru City.