Kenya’s political landscape has been rocked by a wave of unrest and protests, led predominantly by the nation’s youth. The country’s only Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, on Thursday, July 18, addressed the volatile situation, acknowledging the government's missteps while urging restraint from the younger generation to prevent further turmoil.
Speaking at the launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council's Strategic Plan 2023-27 in Nairobi, Mudavadi pleaded with young Kenyans to adopt a forward-looking approach in their demonstrations.
His remarks come amid nationwide protests against the Kenya Kwanza government that have been ongoing since June 18. Kenya has been in upheaval since demonstrators took to the streets four weeks ago to protest against deeply unpopular tax hikes.
Despite some concessions from President William Ruto, who has tried to placate the demonstrators with various measures, the unrest persists. The protests have temporarily eased since the late June incidents, which saw dozens killed and the parliament stormed.
However, activists remain steadfast in their demands for President Ruto’s resignation, planning new rallies under the hashtag “RutoMustGo.”
Ruto has hinted at forming a "broad-based" government, sparking media speculation about a potential national unity government with Raila Odinga, the veteran opposition leader whom Ruto narrowly defeated in the 2022 elections. This speculation adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political climate.
“We have a country to protect. We have made mistakes along the way. And don’t be cheated, we will also make mistakes as we go forward,” Mudavadi stated emphatically. He added, “For as long as you are a human being, once in a while you will stumble.”
Drawing comparisons between President William Ruto’s administration and previous regimes, Mudavadi noted, “Our forefathers were there. They did what they did. You cannot say they did not make mistakes. They did. But they held on to the country.”
He stressed the importance of maintaining national stability despite the government's errors, “We are here today, we shall make our mistakes all of us. But the country must not go down with our mistakes. Because there will be another generation to come and take over.”
Over the past month, protests initially focused on rejecting the country’s 2024 Finance Bill have evolved into broader demonstrations against police brutality, corruption, and unfulfilled political promises. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reports at least 50 deaths and 413 injuries since the protests began.
Earlier this week, acting police chief Douglas Kanja revealed “credible intelligence” that organised criminal groups intended to infiltrate and destabilise the protests. Kanja urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and vigilant and to cooperate with police to ensure safety and collective security.
Adding to the controversy, President Ruto accused the Ford Foundation of funding the protests. The US-based organisation has vehemently denied these allegations, stating, "We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the finance bill."
Mudavadi cautioned, "If you are in your 18s or 20s and your country is thrown into turmoil tell me where you will be."
