Kenyan Youth Protests: Raila Odinga Denies Benefiting from Gen Z Unrest
In June and July 2024, Kenyan youth took to the streets, demanding that President William Ruto address rising living costs and controversial tax measures outlined in the Finance Bill 2024.
The protests peaked on June 25 when demonstrators stormed Parliament following the rushed approval of the Finance Bill. The unrest persisted, pressuring President Ruto to recall the bill entirely. Shortly after, Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet.
Weeks later, the President unveiled a new Cabinet that included members of Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). This political collaboration, viewed by many as a historic “handshake” between rivals, formed a broad-based government.
Critics claimed Odinga benefited from the protests, an allegation he strongly refuted in an interview with Citizen TV.
“I did not gain from the Gen Z protests. That claim is baseless,” Odinga stated, explaining that Ruto approached ODM to include its members in governance for inclusivity.
Odinga also noted that the discussions leading to the new government did not involve the protesting youth.
“Gen Z was absent during consultations. When called to participate, they didn’t show up,” Odinga said, adding that Ruto’s Cabinet dissolution deflated political pressure by removing a target for criticism.
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The ODM leader clarified that while some coalition members were hesitant, his team eventually nominated individuals to serve in the new government. However, he emphasized that this was not a coalition with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza.
“It wasn’t a coalition. The appointments were based on merit. Those chosen had to step down from party leadership roles, though not from membership,” Odinga explained.
Odinga further linked the youth-led protests to his own 2023 demonstrations, citing similarities in their demands. He attributed the youth’s grievances to the government’s failure to implement proposals from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
According to Odinga, the Gen Z movement was fueled by widespread distrust in Kenya’s executive, judiciary, and legislature, highlighting a growing discontent with institutional governance.
Kenyan Youth Protests: Raila Odinga Denies Benefiting from Gen Z Unrest
