Firing isn't enough, Kenyans say demanding more action

President William Ruto. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

President William Ruto faces growing calls to resign, even after dissolving his entire Cabinet on Thursday, July 11.

Critics argue that the Kenya Kwanza leadership has failed the country nearly two years into office.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah is among those demanding President Ruto's resignation, asserting that the shortcomings of the Kenya Kwanza government should not be attributed solely to the dismissed ministers.

"The Cabinet has been dissolved, but that is like putting balm on a wound. Everything around President Ruto has collapsed. You cannot say that his juniors should bear the burden. The ball stops with him, and as they say, a fish begins rotting from the head," Omtatah said on the floor of the Senate.

The hashtag #RutoMustGo was trending strongly on Friday morning, with thousands of tweets calling for his resignation.

Siaya Governor James Orengo emphasised the need for quick resolve.

"We must remember the arrogance, obduracy, and intransigence of the Ruto regime before Gen Z exposed its weakness. The first goal for Kenya Kwanza's engagement in any dialogue is to secure its survival as opposed to legitimate demands," wrote Orengo.

Professor Makau Mutua also weighed in, calling for the sacked officials to apologise to Kenyans for their failures. "Not a single one of the Cabinet Secretaries has apologized for failing the people of Kenya and the President. Instead, they are only thanking the President for giving them a chance to 'serve.' Tone deaf. Please take responsibility. Say I am sorry," he said.

The young protesters were praised for pressuring the current regime, stating that Kenya can now sense the third economic liberation.

"Gen Zees, you sting like bees. You are worthy heirs of Dedan Kimathi, whom you will bury with dignity. Asante. We can smell the Third (Economic) Liberation and Ubuntu," former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana said in a statement.

But, other voices like Ohta Ryota on X urged President Ruto to clean up the security docket. "Clean up the security structures. Our brothers did not die in vain," (referencing Kenyans who lost their lives during the anti-tax protests).

Media personality Adele Onyango used her platform to express her views, stating, "Anyone appointed to those vacant offices must reject them until audits of the entire docket, plus previous CSs, are done. We are still watching you, Mr President."