Ruto Unyielding: Kenya’s Future Hangs in Balance
Kenya’s President William Ruto is caught in a difficult situation, with business and religious figures calling for a political resolution to quell the ongoing political unrest. Simultaneously, hardline politicians from his party are demanding the prosecution of opposition leader Raila Odinga over his involvement in anti-government protests.
More than 10 fatalities and economic shutdown as widespread protests erupt against soaring living costs and higher taxes on Wednesday in major towns and cities.
The last Friday, police shot and killed six individuals amidst the protests held to commemorate Saba Saba Day, an informal observance on July 7, which celebrates the accomplishments of the pro-democracy movement that fought for an end to single-party governance.
Mr. Odinga’s Azimio One Kenya Alliance coalition has called for additional demonstrations on Wednesday of the following week to increase pressure on the Ruto administration to reduce the cost of living, review the taxes introduced by the Finance Act, and address the coalition’s grievances regarding electoral justice and defections of opposition Members of Parliament to the government side.
Business groups fear that prolonged protests and uncertainty could lead to an economic collapse, with estimates suggesting that Wednesday’s closures and looting alone may result in losses of around Ksh3 billion ($21 million).
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Wednesday’s Demonstrations Marked the Most Severe Economic Impact and National Security Concerns Since March When Mr. Odinga’s Azimio One Kenya Alliance Initiated Civil Disobedience.
More than 20 of the country’s 47 counties witnessed demonstrations, and sections of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway used by truckers to transport goods to Kenya’s landlocked neighbors such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Southern Sudan were blocked for the majority of the day.
At the border of Kisumu and Kericho counties, where at least two people were reportedly killed by bow and arrow attacks, they also triggered an escalation of ethnic tension.
On Thursday, a forum of religious leaders, comprising Catholic and Protestant clergy, issued a warning about the potential risks to political stability due to the current surge in social unrest. The forum urged President Ruto to reevaluate the recently implemented tax policies.
In a statement signed by representatives of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the clergy said, “We fear that the growing sense of hopelessness will push the country into instability and possibly violence.”
The clergy, who along with US Senator Chris Coons played a pivotal role in initiating bipartisan talks to end the March demonstrations, urged Mr. Odinga to reconsider the mass action.
However, President Ruto now faces a situation reminiscent of April, where he encountered resistance from several political allies who were against reconciling with the veteran opposition leader, whom he narrowly defeated in the August 2022 election.
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The branch of his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party that opposes the ceasefire gravitates toward Vice President Rigathi Gachagua.
On Thursday, the president attended public gatherings in his political strongholds within the Mt Kenya region. During these events, ruling party officials, including Mr. Gachagua, strongly advised him against seeking reconciliation with Mr. Odinga, instead urging for the opposition leader’s immediate arrest and incarceration.
Will President Ruto Ignore Them Once More? Next Week, Ruling UDA Vows to Rally Supporters Against Anti-Government Protests.
Nevertheless, Azimio la Umoja’s leadership remains resolute, pledging to bring the economy to a standstill next week. They declared their intent to hold three consecutive days of protests on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, aiming to cause extensive hardship.
The violence that occurred on Wednesday has alarmed the business community, which has lost millions of shillings due to looting and devastation of property, including the toll road.
Ruto Unyielding: Kenya’s Future Hangs in Balance
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