Kenyan Newspapers Review: William Ruto Faces New Challenges, 9 Demands from Gen Z Protesters

On Friday, June 28, the Kenyan newspapers extensively reported on the anti-government protests countrywide, as Gen Z protesters issued new demands to President William Ruto.

The dailies revealed Ruto planned to reshuffle his security chiefs after the invasion of parliament on Tuesday, June 25.

Kenyan newspapers headlines on Friday, June 28: Photos/screengrabs: DN, The Star, The Standard, PD and Taifa Leo. Source: UGC

1. The Star

Despite President William Ruto declining to sign the Finance Bill 2024 into law, the youth took to the streets on Thursday, June 27, and demanded radical reforms.

The Gen Z protesters defied tight security manned by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers who supported the police.

They issued the following demands:

• Fire corrupt Cabinet Secretaries (CSs).
• Change the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leadership in parliament.
• Conduct a lifestyle audit for flashy state officers.
• Create more opportunities for the youth.
• Decline to recreate the positions of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs).
• Reduce wastage in government, including travel.
• Review salaries for Members of Parliament (MPs).
• Abolish funding to First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Gachagua.
• Abolish the housing levy.

2. People Daily

President William Ruto is anticipated to reshuffle senior security bosses in the wake of mass protests and killings.

The security chiefs were reported to have been caught off-guard by Gen Z protesters who stormed parliament and ransacked the building for about half an hour.

Ruto sought answers on how the protesters entered parliament and why the security chiefs did not have prior intelligence.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of misleading his boss.

Demonstrators also attacked and destroyed properties belonging to MPs who supported the Finance Bill 2024, including Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Molo MP Kuria Kimani, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and Igembe South's John Mwirigi.

3. Daily Nation

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted protests against the Finance Bill 2024, which it backed.

However, the international lender asked the government to stand firm and insisted on the bill's passage.

The Bretton Woods institution noted the risk was 'medium', but its assessment was off the mark as thousands of the youth thronged the streets countrywide chanting slogans against it.

The IMF asked President William Ruto's government to remain committed to reforms under its programme.

It is set to lend the country KSh 465 billion in its seventh review as it closely monitors the situation.

4. The Standard

Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua is using his boss's style book to win public support.

Gachagua is now taking credit for government projects while dissociating himself from Kenya Kwanza Alliance's failures.

The DP is also playing the victim as cracks between him and the president continue to widen.

Gachagua now publicly contradicts the head of state, claiming he has been isolated for 'speaking the truth'.

"It is embarrassing that it had to take protests, deaths and destruction of properties for the president to realise the extent of the problem," he argued.

5. Taifa Leo

Gen Z protesters were amazed by the friendly nature of KDF officers who patrolled Nairobi streets on Thursday, June 27.

Defence CS Aden Duale gazetted the deployment of the KDF to assist the police in restoring calm and order amid anti-government protests.

KDF soldiers remained in their vehicles as they patrolled the streets, a different style from the police, who engaged young men and women in running battles.

After the officers returned to their barracks, police fired teargas to disperse the demonstrator.