What began as the anti-Finance Bill protests on June 18 after the bill was made public for the first time through online activism by Gen Z on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) has borne some fruits.
After several days of protests against what they perceived as punitive taxes in the Finance Bill and allegations of “budgeted corruption,” Gen Z successfully pressured the government to withdraw the bill on June 26 and address their other demands.
President William Ruto consistently emphasized his commitment to the people, stating, “after listening to the people of Kenya.”
“Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly they want nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede and therefore will not sign the bill, and it shall therefore be withdrawn. I have agreed with Members of Parliament’s that it becomes our collective position,” Ruto said.
In his speech, while rejecting the Finance Bill, President Ruto called for expenditure cuts to cover the expected shortfalls in revenues, including allocations to the Executive office of the President and the entire executive arm of government.
“I direct that operational expenditure in the Presidency be reduced to remove allocations for the confidential vote, reduce travel budget, hospitality and purchase of motor vehicles, renovations and other expenditures,” he said.
“I propose that equally, Parliament, the Judiciary and County Governments working with the National Treasury also undertake budget cuts and austerity to ensure that we do what I have always advocated for, that we live within our means.”
President Ruto Fires Cabinet after Public Outcry
On July 11, the head of state bowed to pressure and dismissed his Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General Justin Muturi, a decision that Kenyans received with great jubilation.
“Upon reflection, listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said and after a holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges, I have, in line with the powers given to me by Article 152(1) and 152(5)(b) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Office of the Attorney-General Act, decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney-General from the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya except the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,” said Ruto.
Also Read: Ruto Under Pressure to Appoint Mama Mboga to Cabinet
On July 5, the Head of State announced the dissolution of 47 state corporations with duplicated roles to free up resources for more urgent matters.
He also stated that public servants reaching the retirement age of 60 would be required to retire immediately, with no extensions allowed.
Furthermore, he suspended all non-essential travel by state and public officers, as well as the purchase of new government vehicles for 12 months, with exceptions for security agencies.
Other Demands of the Gen Z Movement that are Being Expedited
Additionally, Ruto had previously declared that the offices of the First Lady, Rachel Ruto, and Second Lady, Dorcas Rigathi, would not be included in the new budget.
“Offices such as that of the First Lady have existed before, but from tomorrow (1st July) we are going to do away with that and other offices so that we can check our spending,” he said.
The Kenya Kwanza government also plans to reduce the number of advisors by 50%. In a formal letter dated July 8, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced that each CS would now be allowed only one advisor.
Koskei instructed the CSs to submit the name of the advisor they wish to retain from their current two by July 11, in accordance with President Ruto’s directive.
Also Read: Revealed: Millions Ex-CSs will Receive After Ruto Dismissal
Under fire Inspector General of Police (IG) Japheth Koome also resigned on July 12 following weeks of Kenyans demanding justice for killings, abductions and torture of anti-government protesters.
Gen Z Agendas
However, the Gen Z movement has vowed to sustain the pressure in calling for drastic actions with some still pushing for the resignation of the President and some questioning his move to spare Prime Cabinet Secretary in his purge.
Speaking in online conversations, the youth have called for the employment of intern teachers under permanent and pensionable terms and resignation of Members of Parliament who voted Yes for the Bill and firing of corrupt government officials.
Gen Z youth also want transparent budgeting and an end to wastage and rampant corruption where politicians, and civil servants must cease stealing, money laundering, and purchasing loyalty through public appearances at religious events, funerals, and weddings.
Furthermore, they want an end to police brutality and extrajudicial killings, scrapping of the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), abolishing the house levy, proper audit of the national debt and the re-constitution of the IEBC within 30 days.
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