Gen Z Tuesday scare: We're on the streets, no backing down

Anti-riot police officers confront protestors during the anti-government protests in Kitengela town in Kajiado County. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

It has been a bruising battle by Gen Z in the last one month, as they bravely dared to face the country’s challenges head-on, in a most unexpected revolt.

They have not backed down on their quest to put the country in order, with their push having ripple effects on the country’s governance, to some extent.

Gen Z have described themselves as faceless and leaderless but their impact is evident, the most significant being facilitating the withdrawal of the contentious Finance Bill, 2024, and dismissal of the Cabinet.

Their win, however, they say, was derailed last week after President William Ruto named part of his Cabinet, which saw the return of six from the dismissed lot which Kenya’s youths have not taken lightly.

On the online platforms, they questioned Ruto’s Cabinet decision and made it part of the agenda for today’s protests, saying he should have nominated newly qualified people.

“Why did he remove them if he was planning on getting them back into office?” questioned X users.

Today, they have vowed to return to the streets to express their displeasure and earmarked yet another protected area, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport under the banner, #OccupyJKIA.

According to their weekly poster, Gen Z said their grievances are non-negotiable and declared that their peaceful demonstrations will cover Nairobi - from Githurai, Central Business District, Uhuru Park and to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

“Tuesday is Tuesday… get ready, it is a total shutdown.

‘‘Close all roads and align accordingly. Down the fences and march in,” the Gen Z geared up yesterday.

They have taken issue with reports of a massive contract, which was allegedly granted to an Indian company to lease JKIA.

Yesterday, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) issued a statement advising passengers to arrive at early JKIA to avoid any potential delays in catching their flights.

‘‘Due to heightened security checks and protocols at JKIA, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early to avoid any potential delays in catching their flights. Contact your respective airline for the latest flight information,’’ KAA said in the statement.

An activist, Wanjiru Gikonyo said that the President should show leadership, even as she dismissed calls for a government of national unity.

“Government of national unity over what? We are not lacking unity, we have unity and the unity of the political class to plunder this country and leave us in chains is what the Gen Z have said must stop.  The President should have just given a work plan and said, ‘I have heard you’,” she said during an interview with a local TV station.

She urged Gen Z to consider moving to the next level of forming strong alliances because their space is now being hijacked by politicians. Another activist, Kasmuel McOure said the political class has been paralysing the economy of the country since independence adding that they should not hijack their movement.

“Nobody is expected to blink first because this is our country we are trying to fix. Parliamentarians have shown us that they are incapable of doing this and that is why we are on the streets.

‘‘The scandals that we are unearthing should have been unearthed by parliamentarians. We are finding these on our own as active citizens,” McOure said in a TV interview.

Not even the latest signal from the President, who said on Sunday that enough is enough on the demos, has dampened their resolve as the Gen Z’s decision continues to attract mixed reactions from Kenyans.

For instance, a section of Members of the County Assembly from Kenya Kwanza met in Nairobi led by Kiruga Thuka regretted yesterday that criminals have taken advantage of the demonstrations and are now engaging in hooliganism acts.

Azimio la Umoja Chief Legal Counsel Paul Mwangi said that the citizenry is adjusting and leaders need to understand the changes required, adding that the Gen Z are only calling for implementation of the Constitution.

“The change is too drastic for politicians. It is disruptive for them and they may not be adjusting well to this,” said Mwangi, during the Spice FM talk show yesterday.

He said that every time there are changes in the country, it starts with a crisis and then deliberations, and that is how the status quo keeps creeping back.

Wiper Democratic Movement leader, Kalonzo Musyoka said Gen Z had liberated the country.

“Nobody should talk as if they own the country, no! no!’’ he said.