Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has thrown his weight behind Gen Z amid ongoing anti-government protests.
Speaking to the media on Monday, July 22, 2024, Savula expressed firm backing for the demands of youthful protesters.
Savula urged the government to act rather than frustrate the young generation that has been on the streets demanding better governance.
“I support the Gen Zs; we do not need dialogue. Dialogue for what? We just need actions. The demands raised by Gen Zs were to dissolve the cabinet, which was done; another one was to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024, and it was withdrawn; the other condition was not to recycle the cabinet secretaries,” Savula noted.
Savula expressed frustration at President William Ruto reappointing some of the cabinet secretaries he had fired, noting that it goes against the demands raised by the youths.
“Anyone can be a CS, as long as you have an ID and have gone to school. What was so special about (Kithure) Kindiki, Aden Duale, and Davis Chirchir that they got reappointed? Gen Zs were killed when Kindiki was in office; they demanded Kindiki be removed and arrested,” he stated.
In the Gen Z-led movement, Kenyans have been protesting both online and on the streets, demanding accountability and better governance.
Demands raised by Gen Z
In the ongoing anti-government protests in Kenya, Gen Z protesters articulated several demands aimed at President William Ruto’s administration.
Among these is a call for President Ruto to resign from office, citing discontent with his entire administration.
The protesters also demanded the immediate dismissal of government officials who have criminal records or are involved in corruption, seeking to address issues of integrity within the administration.
They proposed salary reductions for MPs, capping their earnings at Ksh200,000, arguing that MPs should not earn more than doctors.
Additionally, the protesters called for the abolition of some government positions, such as the Chief Administrative Secretary roles, and the elimination of public funding for the offices of the First Lady, Second Lady, and Prime Cabinet Secretary’s spouses.
They suggested redirecting these funds to hire more teachers and doctors. Another demand is for the executive to obey all court orders, which underscores a push for greater respect for the rule of law.
The protesters also called for the abolition of the housing levy and demanded the publication of audited records on how these funds have been used, along with refunds for all contributors. Furthermore, they called for a lifestyle audit of state officers to ensure transparency.
Cabinet dissolved, and some recycled
On July 11, 2024, President Ruto dissolved his cabinet, sparing the Prime Cabinet Secretary, who is also in charge of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking from State House, Nairobi, the Head of State said his decision follows careful reflection and public feedback.
In his first batch of eleven individuals for his new cabinet, President Ruto reappointed six former CSs on Friday, July 19, 2024, a decision that has since sparked public outrage.
“I have started the process of forming a new, broad-based cabinet to assist me in driving the urgently needed and irreversible transformation of our country. I hereby nominate the following first batch of 11 individuals for consideration and approval by the National Assembly for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General,” Ruto remarked.
The six CSs who have been reappointed are;
- Alice Wahome – Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
- Kithure Kindiki – Ministry of the Interior and National Administration
- Aden Barre Duale – Ministry of Defence
- Roselinda Soipan Tuiya – Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
- Rebecca Miano – Attorney-General
- Davis Chirchir Ministry of Roads and Transport