In a dramatic political shift, Kenyan President William Ruto has responded to escalating youth-led protests by dismissing all cabinet secretaries and the attorney general, retaining only the deputy president and the prime cabinet secretary. This decision, made on 11 July, follows three weeks of nationwide demonstrations primarily driven by Generation Z.
This politically awakened generation, facing limited job opportunities and high living costs, has cemented its influence in national politics. The protests erupted in response to tax hikes proposed by Ruto, aimed at increasing revenues to address Kenya’s $80 billion debt burden. Despite the government’s withdrawal of some of the most controversial International Monetary Fund-backed tax increases, demonstrators continued to demand the scrapping of the proposed 2024 finance bill and called for Ruto’s resignation.
The ongoing unrest highlights the significant challenges facing Kenya’s leadership as it navigates economic pressures and the demands of a youthful, increasingly vocal electorate.
