“Tulieni,” David Ndii Urges Youth to Be Patient with Protests.

President William Ruto’s economic adviser, David Ndii, has called on the youth to ease their political fervor and remain patient with their ambitions amid ongoing anti-government protests led by Gen Z. In a statement shared on his X account, Ndii reflected on his experience and emphasized the enduring nature of political careers in Kenya.

The opinionated adviser mentioned that he was 37 years old when former President Mwai Kibaki took office, having already spent a decade as an activist.

“One of the blind spots of youth is to underestimate resilience and longevity in Kenyan politics. Kibaki joined the government before I was born. When he became president, I was 37. I’d been an activist for a decade. Tulieni.”

Ndii also highlighted the longstanding difficulties younger generations face when entering politics, particularly when advocating for middle-class concerns. He noted that this is not a new issue for Generation Z; it was even more challenging in the 1990s when there was no independent middle class.

“The Gen Z foray into politics on middle-class interests without the numbers is not new. It was even more daunting in the 90s with no independent middle class. But a tiny intelligentsia, a hundred strong at best, figured out how to use guerrilla tactics.”

These remarks come at a time when Kenyan youth are increasingly vocal in their dissatisfaction with the current government, organizing protests online and on the streets demanding better governance.

What Do Youths Want?

The young generation has been vocal about their demands from the onset of the anti-government protests. Among these is a call for President Ruto to resign from office, citing discontent with his entire administration.

The protesters also demand the immediate dismissal of government officials with criminal records or involvement in corruption, seeking to address issues of integrity within the administration.

They propose salary reductions for MPs, capping their earnings at Ksh200,000, arguing that MPs should not earn more than doctors. Additionally, they call for the abolition of certain government positions, such as the Chief Administrative Secretary roles, and the elimination of public funding for the offices of the First Lady, Second Lady, and Prime Cabinet Secretary’s spouses.

The protesters suggest redirecting these funds to hire more teachers and doctors. Another demand is for the executive to obey all court orders, which underscores a push for greater respect for the rule of law.

Furthermore, the protesters call for the abolition of the housing levy and demand the publication of audited records on how these funds have been used, along with refunds for all contributors. They also call for a lifestyle audit of state officers to ensure transparency.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.