NAIROBI, Kenya- As the GenZ protests continue to surge through Kenya, the narrative surrounding their origins and support remains muddled.
The inconsistency among government officials has led to a broader question: Is this a case of denial or simply a failure in communication?
President William Ruto has made headlines by accusing the Ford Foundation, a prominent American philanthropic organization, of funding the protests.
According to Ruto, the foundation has been bankrolling the unrest under the guise of promoting good governance and reforms.
“We are going to call them out and we are going to tell them if they are not interested in democracy in Kenya, if they are going to sponsor violence and anarchy we are going to tell them they either style up or they leave,” he declared during a public address in Nakuru on Monday.
However, Ruto’s accusations have not been universally echoed within his administration.
Other senior officials have pointed fingers at local politicians, suggesting that the political unrest is being stoked from within Kenya’s own borders.
This dichotomy raises critical questions: Who is truly behind the GenZ protests, and why can’t the government present a united front on this issue?
The protests, primarily driven by the youth, have seen more than 40 fatalities and hundreds of injuries.
They were initially sparked by the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which was eventually rejected by President Ruto.
The demonstrations have since evolved into broader demands for systemic change, including calls for an overhaul of the criminal justice system and major reforms within the National Police Service, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the National Intelligence Service.
The President’s attempt to quell the unrest by firing his entire Cabinet, save for Musalia Mudavadi, has done little to placate the protesters.
The youth remain resolute in their demands, seeking more radical changes and accountability from those in power.
Amidst this turmoil, the resignation of Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome and the appointment of Douglas Kanji as his acting replacement mark significant shifts within the National Police Service.
These changes, however, have not stemmed the tide of unrest.
The question remains: Can Kanji’s leadership and potential change in tactics restore order and address the root causes of the protests?
Are the accusations against the Ford Foundation a strategic diversion, or is there substance to these claims? And if local politicians are indeed fueling the unrest, what are their motivations and objectives?
The GenZ protests have largely been peaceful, though sporadic violence has marred their legitimacy.
Human rights organizations and police have attributed these violent incidents to gangs allegedly affiliated with political figures.
