In Kenya, a wave of outrage has swept through the country as citizens issue a 48-hour ultimatum for President William Ruto to step down.
This demand is driven by a call for a new government dedicated to “transparency, accountability, and good governance.”
The discontent is vividly captured in a viral Twitter statement: “We no longer recognise William Ruto as the President of Kenya. We recall his presidency and urge him to immediately resign and surrender his office to the Kenyan people.” This statement has resonated widely, reflecting the deep frustration among Kenyans.
The roots of this outrage lie in President Ruto’s recent political maneuvers, particularly his retraction of a controversial finance bill that proposed significant tax increases. The bill was intended to address Kenya’s substantial debt of about 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), which is approximately 70% of the country’s GDP. Ruto had argued that without these tax increases, there would be a severe shortfall in funding for critical development programs, including those for farmers and teachers.
Despite the retraction of the bill, public anger has not abated. Economic instability, rampant corruption, and governance issues have plagued Kenya, resulting in rising living costs and high unemployment rates. These problems have led to a groundswell of frustration and a strong demand for change.
Protests have erupted across the country, with demonstrators expressing their dissatisfaction with the administration. They describe it as riddled with “incompetence, mismanagement, and a persistent failure to address the nation’s pressing needs.”
In response to the protests, Kenyan police have reportedly fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators. Soldiers have been deployed, and police in anti-riot gear have blocked roads leading to Ruto’s office at State House and the parliament.
