In recent weeks, Kenya’s “generation Z” has been at the forefront of large-scale demonstrations against the government. – We were the first children to receive free education for all. Now we have grown up and know exactly how the political system works and how we can change it, says Zaha Indimuli to news. She remembers the story they read in literature at secondary school, about the people who stood up against the corrupt government and water. Now she is one of the activists in the “Gen Z” movement that organizes riots. Tiktok and other social media are the most important mobilization platforms for Zaha Indimuli. Start with tax law Today, President William Ruto surprised by throwing out almost his entire government. He himself said that the decision was made after he had “listened carefully to what the people of Kenya have said”. Last week he made major changes to the budget and withdrew unpopular tax proposals. And for the first time he has had a live broadcast on social media where people could ask him questions directly. That a president takes such measures, largely against his own will, is quite unique in the African context, and everything comes as a result of a major youth rebellion that is still ongoing. The country has for generations been marked by gross corruption, and the leaders live in lavish luxury. It all came to a head when President William Ruto wanted to introduce a tax increase on basic goods so that the country would be able to pay its enormous debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It was just the last drop in an already full cup: AFP Increase its income and tax the people The demonstrations started when President Ruto wanted to pass a new tax law. This law had increased the prices of daily necessities such as bread, cooking oil, pads and nappies. A number of health services had also become more expensive. The same week that the National Assembly voted yes to the law, they decided to increase their own salaries. Reuters Enormous difference between those in power and the people The Kenyan state leaders live in chaos. Their luxury habits are becoming more and more open to ordinary people. In May, the tax payers saw black when President Ruto rented a royal jet from Dubai for 1.5 million dollars. He used the plane for a four-day trip to the USA. And while the politicians buy themselves expensive cars and watches, the cost of living increases for the rest. AP Previous tax increase A third of Kenyans live in the big cities, and of these 70 per cent live in slum-like areas, according to the UN. In 2022, a tax increase came which was supposed to bring in money for housing construction in such areas. But the taxpayers still cannot see any trace of that money. Reuters Enormous debt to the IMF This year’s tax increase should give the government the 2.7 billion dollars it needs for a major reform that the Kenyan authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have agreed on. Kenya, like several other African countries, has an enormous debt to such international actors. But even though the IMF has lent money to Kenya in desperate times, there are several people who are strongly critical of them. AFP IMF is unpopular with the people The IMF has gained a bad reputation in several African countries. The critics believe that the loans they give to desperate nations usually come with rigid conditions that affect the poorest. – Krava does not take into account what is best for the actual people, says the Kenyan economist James Shikwati to news. Others point to the fact that it is the state leaders who are unable to manage the debt well enough. Reuters A conversation in secret The tax increase caused such large protests that Ruto withdrew the proposal. In the days that followed, it emerged that the IMF had pressured him to stand his ground even though they knew how the people would react. In a conversation between him and IMF CEO Kristalina Georgieva, he promised to clean up the public budget in order to get money from there in the city. Kenyans struggle with high living costs, and income from previous tax increases has not gone to services for the people. Instead of taxing the people, the government should cut its own budget, the protesters said. Judy Mollah thinks the proposal to tax sanitary products was particularly provocative. Photo: Private – A car should be taxed, that’s fine. But they don’t need to tax our food, sanitary products, health insurance for cancer patients, at the same time as they use our tax money on cars, bonuses and travel. That is what 29-year-old Judy Mollah says to news. Her mother has cancer, and with the new tax laws she would have had to pay expensive judgments for chemotherapy, health care and insurance. “Gen Z” armed themselves with smartphones and marched through the capital, Nairobi. The whole thing was streamed on social media. The demonstrations were intended to be peaceful, and started with music, art, song and dance. But it quickly became violent. Photo: Monicah Mwangi / Reuters Highly educated, few prospects for the future – It seems that our elected representatives forget that we are the ones who elected them, but they should be allowed to think about that, says Indimuli. Over half of Kenya’s population is under the age of 35. The largest group is generation Z, and they also have higher education than any generation before them. It creates expectations for the future. Nevertheless, many of them are without work, and economic growth is slow. And it is not just those under 30 who have had enough of the distance between the politicians and the rest of the people. – Our parents and grandparents also felt the same frustration. But we know how to do something about it, says Indimuli. The young generation mobilizes across ethnicity and class, and they manage without party or leaders. It is something completely new. Photo: Skjermdump / X Rørsla calls himself leader-, tribe- and party-free. What they learned at secondary school and university, they now share with the rest of the people on social media. – It makes us less vulnerable to corruption, because we don’t have one manager who can sell the project should he fall for temptation. We also stand together, they cannot use the divide-and-conquer method against the various ethnic tribes as they have done in the past, says Indimuli. – It should be peaceful Both Indimuli and Mollah say that the demonstrations were and are a peaceful initiative. – People danced and sang, there was only hope and a feeling that we could bring about a change, says Indimuli about the first demonstration, which took place in the capital Nairobi on 25 June. Thousands demonstrate in Nairobi’s streets. Photo: Amaury Falt-Brown / AFP The activists still have hope for change, but the price has turned out to be high. Amnesty has verified that at least 39 protesters have been killed and at least 361 seriously injured. They emphasize that the number could be higher and estimate a death toll of over 200. – The government had not been able to control a peaceful protest, so they have sent people into the demonstrations to exercise violence so that they have an excuse to send the police against us , says Indimuli. Family, friends and fellow activists at the funeral of Rex Masai, a 29-year-old man who was shot by the police during the demonstrations. Photo: SIMON MAINA / AFP The activists have had to cancel several demonstrations because of the fear of more violence. Now they have created their own security system which they hope can keep these violent actors out. Want full replacement The young people have been heard from several parties. Church communities have gone out and asked the authorities to listen to them. Politicians who voted for the tax law are now coming forward and asking for reasons. Now Ruto is also showing signs of cooperation by both changing the budget and throwing out his own government. But the question is whether it is enough, because the demand that “Ruto must go” has taken over the attention, and the pressure on the president increased as he ignored the discontent for a long time. This week he signed a reform that will give more representation and less corruption in the electoral system. Last week he announced major cuts in the government’s spending. Both parts have been among the main demands from “Gen Z”. Two demonstrators are met by armed police during the demonstrations. Photo: Simon Maina / AFP But despite promises of change, neither Mollah nor Indimuli are convinced. The most important demand is the dissolution of the government, which has now happened, but also new elections. – The day we actually see change in the country, we can say to our children that our friends did not die for nothing. But this was just something he did to survive, it is not a proof of change, says Mollah. – The government listens to us more now, but at the same time as they make promises, they also work against us. We will not give up until we get a chance to elect new, good leaders, says Indimuli. Published 11.07.2024, at 22.10
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Kenya’s President Ruto throws out the government after Gen-Z rebellion – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
