The eyes and hearts of Kenyans, and the spotlight of the whole world are on tomorrow, Thursday, eight August, for the national demonstration announced via social networks by the country's 'Generation Z' youth, activists and human rights associations.
A peaceful demonstration that, according to the organisers, in Nairobi will include a parade through the city centre and then, from 2pm, a march to State House, the presidential palace, to demand the resignation of some of the new government ministers, after the recent reshuffle, described as 'corrupt', as well as other measures that affect citizens, including the revocation of increases in university fees.
The activists hope that the demonstration this time will not result in violence and an overly decisive response from the police, who have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators, although not armed except for their voices and mobile phones, in past days of protest, moving on to the first intemperance to the real ones, and killing more than fifty demonstrators. It has to be said that in some of these demonstrations, a good number of young people took advantage of the occasion to loot shops and private property, damage cars and public infrastructure, as well as in one case storming the parliament, devastating it and setting part of it on fire. According to Gen Z, however, in most cases these were infiltrated criminals often paid by people close to power.
Tomorrow's demonstration, dubbed 'NaneNane' (8-8) in reference to the famous 'SabaSaba Day' (7-7) of 7 July 1990, when thousands of Kenyans poured into the streets to demand an end to President Moi's 'regime' and multi-partyism, which would come a year later.
On the one hand, the Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, emphasised that his men were ready to keep the peace throughout the country
"Every Kenyan, according to the law, has the freedom to demonstrate, picket and assemble. Where one's privilege of rights ends, another's begins. We are all Kenyans and we must respect the rule of law. This is a country governed by democracy and the Constitution,' said the police chief.
On the other hand, young people have returned to the belief that with the coherence of popular protests they can achieve some significant changes in the direction of their country, of which they constitute the numerical majority (eighty per cent of citizens are under 35 years old) and consequently the future of Kenya, and have also inspired their peers in other African nations, such as Uganda and Nigeria. After the first demonstrations, in which the protest was directed at the controversial finance bill that presented new taxes, the president decided to revoke the tax measures, and then decided to relieve many of his ministers and enlarge the government to the opposition, with four members of the Odm party. However, this move did not meet with the favour of the youth, who have always defined themselves as apolitical and intertribal, and do not approve of the opposition's policies either.
After the latest decisions, Ruto has launched an alternative economic manoeuvre, reducing the costs of ministries, parliament and the judiciary, while confirming allocations for three sectors defined as fundamental: agriculture, health and education.
Will this be enough to avoid the anger of the youth and the call for his resignation to the popular cry of 'Ruto must go'? And will it be enough for the state to avoid economic default?
Although they have no alternative recipe, the youth remain sure of one thing: Kenya needs as soon as possible to eliminate, or at least limit as much as possible, the scourge of corruption that burns billions every year. Starting right at the top in government, parliament and counties.