NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto’s surprise move to dismiss his entire Cabinet has been met with widespread approval from Kenyans, but the nation’s youth, particularly the vocal GenZ generation, are demanding even more sweeping reforms.
This drastic step is part of President Ruto’s broader efforts to restore public trust in his administration.
Among the measures already implemented are a ban on state officers from participating in Harambee (fundraising activities) and a reduction in the number of advisors.
Additionally, Ruto has signed the IEBC Amendment Bill, setting the stage for the reconstitution of the electoral body, a move aimed at ensuring future elections are more transparent and credible.
However, GenZs, who have been at the forefront of calls for systemic change, argue that these steps are insufficient.
They contend that more concrete actions are necessary to address the deep-rooted issues plaguing the country.
One of the primary demands from GenZ is the immediate dismissal of Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome, who they accuse of mishandling recent protests.
The protests, which saw over 40 peaceful demonstrators killed and hundreds injured by police, have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Kenyans.
There are also harrowing reports of abducted protesters being found murdered, further fueling the outrage.
“The president’s actions are a start, but they are not enough,” said a GenZ spokesperson.
“We need real accountability and justice for the victims of police brutality. IG Koome must be fired immediately.”
In addition to the demand for Koome’s dismissal, GenZ is calling for the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) within 30 days.
They argue that a prompt overhaul of the electoral body is crucial for restoring faith in the democratic process.
Another significant demand is the reduction of the number of Cabinet Secretaries to 15.
The recently dissolved Cabinet had 21 members, and GenZ argues that a leaner Cabinet will be more efficient and less prone to corruption.
“Reducing the number of Cabinet Secretaries is not just about saving costs,” said another GenZ activist.
“It’s about creating a government that is more accountable and less bloated with bureaucracy and inefficiency.”
Furthermore, GenZ activists are pressing for stringent measures to reclaim stolen public resources and hold those found culpable accountable.
They believe that without concrete actions to recover ill-gotten wealth and prosecute corrupt officials, any reforms will be superficial at best.
“The public needs to see that there are real consequences for corruption,” one wrote on X.
“We need to reclaim stolen resources and ensure that those responsible face justice.”
As the president prepares to form a new, broad-based Cabinet, the pressure is on to meet these heightened expectations.
Whether Ruto will heed the GenZ demands remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the call for comprehensive reform is growing louder by the day.
The ball is now in President Ruto’s court to prove that his commitment to restoring public trust is more than just rhetoric.
In his address on Thursday, the President committed to appoint an all inclusive government.
