Azimio leaders call for Ruto ouster, maintain solidarity with protesting Gen Zs

Addressing journalists in Meru County, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka commended the youth, now referred to as the Gen Z, for their continued protests against the ruling government and urged them to soldier on.

He further commended the Senate for supporting the need for austerity demanded by Gen Zs adding that the government is largely ailed by corrupt individuals who keep on looting public resources.

"They have carried the spirit of SabaSaba and today as they take the streets I want them to know that the Azimio leadership stands with them," said Kalonzo. 

"The Senate has stood firm and for once asked for accountability in support of the agenda by GenZ. The corruption continues unabetted, a lot of money is collected and no accountability is there. The problem is not the collection but the consumption, the opulence, and greed by leaders."

DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa further called for the ousting of President Ruto arguing that all his reforms are just "cosmetics" to quell public rage.

"Ruto and his government should know that he and his government no longer enjoys the confidence of the people of Kenya. On this SabaSaba day we would want to urge the Gen Zs that the mission is not done until Zakayo ashuke (Ruto comes down)," said Wamalwa.

The leaders further commended the youth for commemorating the SabaSaba protests as they take the streets today, July 7, to honour Kenyans killed during the protests. 

National rights watchdog Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) says that the death toll recorded from the nationwide protests hit 39 and 361 were left injured.

Marked as a historical day for Kenya, SabaSaba is commemorated yearly to relinquish memories of July 7, 1990, when nationwide protests took place in Kenya to demand for multiparty democracy. 

On the historic day, Kenya witnessed the largest nationwide protests which had been summoned by leaders including Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia. The leaders had been arrested a few days before. 

Over 20 people are reported to have died in the protest which left thousands injured. As a result, former President Daniel Moi’s government bowed to pressure and allowed political pluralism.