By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- 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.
The latest media reports have indicated that Martha Karua’s Narc Kenya has exited the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition.
To me, this did 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 has quit at a time when top leaders of opposition ODM had joined the government of Kenya Kwanza. Besides, when the efforts to put off the fire lit by Generation Zoomer (GenZ) had gone a notch higher.
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.
The citizens thought they have won after toppling their respective President through popular uprisings.
But alas, the worst form of dictatorship creeped back.
Though Generation-Z and millennials have been reiterating that they have no time for the opposition leaders, the leaders are still supporting them.
To me, they are simply doing this for political reasons.
If the game plan of Gen-Z succeeds, they think they will immediately step out and fill the vacuum.
This is a wishful thinking. Who told them that Gen-Z will just step aside?
Let me give free advice. As media reports indicated, GenZs were not alone. They were powerful people who were pulling the string from behind.
These are the same people who will advise them not to give way.
I’m happy majority of Kenyans have realized the danger of toppling President Ruto.
Their position is clear. President Ruto has heard you. He has so far addressed most of your demands.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Political Analyst Based In Nairobi
