The Mt Kenya Times 
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka addressing the press at his official residence
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- At the time, the President left out two slots vacant. Soon after, rumors started swirling around that the seats had been reserved for two top Azimio luminaries.
- Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was poised to take up the position of East Africa Community (EAC) Cabinet Secretary. It is worth noting that Kalonzo’s son is a member of the regional parliament.
- Kalonzo fought so hard to ensure his son has clinched that seat.
- Raila Odinga of ODM did the same to ensure his daughter Winnie has joined the same parliament.
- As for former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, who is also a lawyer, reports indicated that he was poised to become the Attorney General (AG) in Ruto’s government.
When President William Samoei Ruto dissolved his entire cabinet, he said his decision was partly prompted by the mounting pressure from Generation-Z.
This is one of the question that would later come up during his online conversation with the youths.
I have listened to you and your demands are legitimate. I want to assure you that I’m going to address all your issues.
He however told them. I wish you are the one wearing my shoe. You will understand there were so many cross cutting issues and I needed to look all of them.
In reconstituting cabinet, he said he will ensure it reflect the face of Kenya.
Looking at his new-look cabinet, one thing is clear. He has lived up to his word.
When he released the second batch of cabinet nominees, Raila Odinga’s ODM become the biggest beneficiary.
The party bagged four positions including powerful ministries of National Treasury, Energy and Mining.
At the time, the President left out two slots vacant. Soon after, rumors started swirling around that the seats had been reserved for two top Azimio luminaries.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was poised to take up the position of East Africa Community (EAC) Cabinet Secretary. It is worth noting that Kalonzo’s son is a member of the regional parliament.
Kalonzo fought so hard to ensure his son has clinched that seat.
Raila Odinga of ODM did the same to ensure his daughter Winnie has joined the same parliament.
As for former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, who is also a lawyer, reports indicated that he was poised to become the Attorney General (AG) in Ruto’s government.
It is worth to recall during the election of Kenya’s nine members of regional parliament (EALA) former ruling party Jubilee had been given one slot.
Reports at the time indicated that Kioni, the party secretary General and the party director of election and former Kieni MP Kanini Kega were the leading contenders.
Kioni, who was floored by Kega, did not take his loss lightly. Many averred that he felt betrayed by members of parliament of Kenya Kwanza particularly those who hailed from Mount Kenya region. He believed he had the best credentials.
This would be seen as the main reason that triggered a bad blood between him, President Ruto and his allies.
In a swift rejoinder, I heard Kalonzo saying. I served this country as a Vice President. I cannot, therefore, take a lower seat. Was this coming from bottom of his heart? Time will tell.
Martha Karua of Narc Kenya was Raila’s running mate in 2022 polls. So, if the two joins the government, she would become the biggest loser.
Perhaps this explain why her party has kicked off the process of exiting the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition.
If yes, this would not come as a surprise. In the aftermath of Azimio leader Raila Odinga led street demonstrations, the writing was on the wall that it was only a matter of time before honorable Martha Karua exited.
Cracks started emerging when Karua and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni unveiled the Kamwene Movement which would articulate the interests of Azimio members in Mount Kenya region.
While citing the ongoing National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) talks at the Bomas of Kenya which were being chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwah, the duo argued that their region had been given a raw deal.
None of member of the committee which comprised 10 individuals hailed from our region.
President Ruto and ODM leader had shared the slots. What does this tell you? Raila have no time for people of Mount Kenya.
Ms Karua had earlier come out gun blazing. This is after realizing that Raila had ditched her in favor of Kalonzo.
At one point she was quoted as saying. By virtue of being Raila’s running mate, I’m the deputy leader of the Azimio coalition. If Raila gets the Africa Union Commission (AU) chairmanship job, I will immediately take up his seat in Azimio.
Kalonzo seems plotting to dislodge me from my position. My loyalty to Baba Raila is unquestionable. So, I would not expect him (kalonzo) to have his way.
The Flower Party leader had failed to read the political signs.
For Raila, politics is about interest. Karua had failed to deliver votes to him during the 2022 polls. Raila even lost in the polling station where she had cast her vote in Gichugu, Kirinyaga county. This is unlike Kalonzo who had delivered majority of Ukambani votes to him.
Well, it seems Karua was just waiting for appropriate time to ditch Raila.
She said she want to remain on the side of Generation-Zoomers (Gen-Z). I heard a group of people saying. This was a political statement. It was not coming from the bottom of her heart. She was bitter because President Ruto had failed to recognize her.
In my earlier article in this column, I argued. The history of independent Kenya is replete with popular agitations for institutional, administrative, legal reforms and expansion of democratic space.
The notable ones were the clamor for multiparty democracy and new constitutional dispensation.
The common thread in these struggles was that they were all realized within the framework of the constitution and other laws of the land.
In 1991, then President Daniel Arap Moi steered the process that led to repeal of Section 2A ushering in political pluralism.
This paved the way for the first multiparty election held in 1992. President Moi won this election and he was also re-elected in subsequent election held in 1997.
The independent party KANU was however vanquished in 2002 polls.
President Moi was not eligible in this elections because he had served his two-terms of five years each as provided in the constitution.
Earlier in August 1982, an attempt by the Kenyan military (Airforce) to overthrow the government of Moi had flopped.
In the aftermath of 2007 presidential election, President Mwai Kibaki, who had succeeded Moi, faced the worst post election violence in Kenya’s history.
Again, the solution to this political crisis was achieved through the parameters of the law.
During President Uhuru Kenyatta’s era, there was a handshake. The law was also followed to the letter and spirit in clinching that deal.
In all these processes, members of parliament would play their role in introducing the changes that were needed.
Today, we have the Generation-Z. They have asked those who led the previous agitations to stay way. You have failed us. How? As generation of young people, we are going liberate this country and later show you how a government is run.
One thing is however clear. Gen-Z strategy differs sharply with the previous agitations.
They have so far shown that they have no time for the constitution and other laws.
They are hellbent on using unconstitutional means to topple the democratically elected government of President William Samoei Ruto.
To me, they are setting stage for anarchy, mayhem and bloodbath.
The bids to topple previous governments failed to materialize because Kenyans do not subscribe to the ill-advised concept of overthrowing government.
So I would not expect them to support Generation-Z.
In his reaction, the President Ruto reiterated after attending a church service ”we are going to protect the country”.
I’m sure here the President was referring to the criminal gangs and goons that have in the recent past infiltrated these protests. Hundreds of business people were left counting losses after their businesses were looted and vandalized.
Initially, these protests were peaceful. At the time the President praised the young people for coming out in big numbers to present their grievances.
Kenya is democratic country and it is governed by the rule of law.
Therefore and as stipulated in Article 37 of the constitution, you are free to air your views.
I have heard you. As your President, I want to promise you that I’m going to address all the issues that you have raised.
We cannot however sort out these matters in the streets. Let us start talking and engaging.
I’m soon going to unveil a road map for a national dialogue. This is after wider consultations with Gen-Z and other stakeholders.
But in a swift rejoinder, Gen-Z rejected the talks. Our movement is leaderless and party less. So, we can only engage you through X-Space. Besides, it is us who will invite you and you will only respond to the questions we will ask you.
President Ruto agreed to their terms. He later held a candid conversation with them online.
Despite assuring them that he would address all the issues, Gen-Z and millennials did not wait for the dust to settle. They immediately returned back to the streets.
The #RejectFinanceBill2024 now changed to #RutoMustGoNow. One can therefore understand where the President was coming from.
It is worth noting that our democracy is anchored on universal suffrage of one-man, one-vote.
The constitution stipulates that the term of the President is five years.
So, if you want to remove him from office, you have to wait until he completes the term.
It does not however mean that the President cannot removed from office. But this power can only be exercised by parliament. The President will go home if a member file a motion of impeachment and it garners support of a two-third majority.
However, the constitution does provide for the removal of democratically-elected President through people or military uprisings.
If this is allowed, the country will go to dog. Anarchy, lawlessness and bloodbath will reign high.
ODM leader Raila Odinga had raised a similar caution. Ruto goes, then what! RutoMustGo cannot be an end.
I cannot sit to see my country plunging into anarchy.
Raila added: In Egypt, people thought they have won after toppling their President through popular uprising.
Today people are crying and regretting. There are no jobs, corruption, inflation and cost of living is very high.
It is worth to note that President Ruto has so far addressed most of demands raised by Generation-Z. One of them is dissolving the entire cabinet. He has since William Ruto has since unveiled cabinet nominees. He had promised a broad based government. He has lived up his word. Two of the nominees are Gen zees.
Erick Muriethi, a 32 years old, is the cabinet nominee for Water.
Besides, he is well educated and with the requisite experience.
The prerogative to appoint the cabinet squarely lies with the President.
President Mwai Kibaki had made a similar move. This is after his banana side which supported the draft constitution of 2005 lost to No-Orange side which was led by then Roads minister Raila Odinga.
He recalled some of the ministers when he unveiled his new-look cabinet. President Ruto seemed to have been guided by the same script.
Besides dissolving the whole cabinet, President Ruto has unveiled a raft of austerity measures and scrapping of unconstitutional offices starting with those of the First Lady and spouse of Deputy President.
He also put on hold the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs).
Besides, he scrapped confidential accounts and immediately stopped the renovation of government offices. He also stopped top government officials from travelling outside the country. My office will only approve essential trips. He also announced that plans are underway to scrap and merge 47 State Corporations.
The push by the youths is widely perceived as being plan less, anti-infiltration strategy less and post Ruto/transitional less.
These young people are exhibiting dangerous mentality of know-it-all, entitlement and dictatorship.
I heard one of GenZ lecturing a group old people. “Our plan is to force President Ruto to resign. We are going to replace him with former CS Fred Matiangi (President) and former CS Mutahi Kagwe as DP”.
This Gen-Z did not want to be corrected.
But for those who care to listen, this is what will happen.
The constitution provides that the Deputy President takes over and serve for the remainder of the term. If Gen-Z does not want Gachagua, then it means the military will take over.
Those who have been ruled my military in other countries would tell you. This is the worst form of governance. It is dictatorial, oppressive and ruthless
It is not a guarantee that the military will soon agree to hand over power back to civilians.
The crisis can worsen and take long before it is resolved.
Remember the military will have an upper hand during the negotiations.
So, the other question is. Who will they hand over power to? The power might end up in the wrong hands.
This is what happened in countries such as Egypt, Chad, Sudan, Mali.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Political Analyst Based In Nairobi
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