On Saturday, July 6, the dailies spotlighted the political situation in the country, with much prominence given to President William Ruto's online engagement with youths for at least three hours in X space.
1. The Saturday Standard On a day President William Ruto faced Kenyans on a social media platform that required no permit nor police security, where he was held to account on issues such as extrajudicial killings and corruption, a parallel virtual rally was taking place organised by citizens who wanted to hold unfettered debate.
Without needing to apply for a permit to rally or book a venue to congregate, they occupied the airwaves in their thousands, and their message was resolute: Ruto must go. In a show of defiance, they boycotted the presidential engagement, terming it a public relations stunt meant to hoodwink the gullible masses.
Instead, they engaged in their own spaces on X, where they reiterated their demands to Ruto: proper audit of the national debt, scrapping of the Housing Levy, reconstitution of the IEBC in the next 30 days, and a reduction of all MPs' salaries.
The Gen Zs demanded that Ruto sack all government officials with criminal records and integrity issues, starting with Mithika Linturi for exposing farmers to fake fertiliser, scrapping the position of the woman representative, employment of all JSS teachers, and an end to state capture.
They also called for Ruto's immediate resignation for what they termed as "selling out" the country to the West and the IMF.
To them, the excesses of the current regime were unforgivable, and they saw no point in engaging with the Head of State.The extrajudicial killings and targeting of protestors, especially, were their bone of contention with the head of state.
2. Taifa Leo The Swahili paper reported that Azimio leader Raila Odinga led other political leaders in urging the youth to continue with their efforts to liberate their country economically. This comes as politicians encourage church leaders to emulate past clergy like Reverend Timothy Njoya and join Gen Z in liberating the country.
These leaders, who attended the funeral of veteran politician Maina Wanjigi in Nyeri county, said the sudden rise of Gen Z in the country is "God's work" and added that Kenyans have a final opportunity to free the country from bad governance.
Those who attended the event with Raila included Governor James Orengo, Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Roots Party leader George Wajakoyah, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Starehe MP Maina Kamanda, among others.
Raila praised the youth for their courage in standing up against President William Ruto's administration, saying Kenyans desire change and he will support them.
3. Saturday Nation The paper reported that politicians, advisers and hundreds of civil servants are the first casualties of austerity measures announced by Ruto in an attempt to assuage Kenyans dissatisfied with his leadership.
Public officers who have attained the age of 60 have been directed to proceed to retirement immediately. Several state-owned enterprises have been retaining staff beyond the retirement age, a scenario that has blocked young people from taking the jobs.
The National Social Security Fund and the Kenya School of Government are some of the parastatals with a huge ageing workforce. It is not clear if the directive affects state officers appointed by Ruto. Several, including Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, have attained retirement age.
Similarly, politicians – including former governors and lawmakers – who had lined up for Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions stare at a bleak future after he suspended hiring for the positions.
Fifty politicians, mostly 2022 election losers, had been named to the positions before the recruitment was halted by the High Court. The President also ordered a reorganisation of parastatals that will see the dissolution of several.
SOURCE:https://www.facebook.com/100067867727102/posts/pfbid02CpgK63GZq3K6CWqFh2tvoZ2EMKzuSAC3w9meHdRprMxPUoHoQ6i8NFGZHPoH27iRl/?app=fbl