ABOUT US

BACKGROUND

    Kenya got mired in unrest. Confronted with demonstrators denouncing proposed tax policies, the security forces responded ruthlessly resulting in the death of at least 39 people, most of them in Nairobi on June 25th 2024, when protesters briefly overran Parliament and set a portion of it ablaze. Looting also erupted in several towns and cities, though it was unclear whether this was by organized goons, as the protesters allege, or by opportunist criminals, as President Ruto claimed.

    After crisis meetings with his advisers and foreign diplomats, President Ruto withdrew the Finance Bill 2024 and announced budget cuts, targeting his office and other governmental sectors. He also invited the youth to a forum to discuss the budget proposals.

    Since then, the rejected Finance Bill 2024 become a flashpoint in the clamour for radical economic and political reforms in Kenya. It also opened the floodgates for critical voices against Ruto’s regime that rode to power in 2022.

    Indeed, the events that took place in Kenya became a learning curve, as the Kenya Kwanza (Ruto’s party) was caught flatfooted when Gen Z youth, including graduates, took to the street countrywide, protesting tax hikes through social media platforms such as X (the former Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp.

    During the initial stages of the protests, those in government thought Gen Z was just a nuisance and never a threat to the Ruto regime. But, with the protests gaining momentum, which then got joined by the younger Millennials (1981-96), the generation preceding Gen Z, among other groups, Ruto was forced to make tough choices to steady his government, promising more jobs and to uplift the poor through a “bottom-up economic approach”

    After an open meeting on X Spaces with the youth, Ruto changed course and instituted austerity measures to reduce expenditure across government institutions.

    All in all, these protests never showed signs to slow down even with the President’s response of dismissing the whole cabinet and partially re-constituting it a few days later. The protestors vowed to intensify the protests until a number of their demands, which seemed to be snowballing by the day, were fully addressed by the government. It seemed like the demands were a moving target since the issues were not consolidated nor the protesting persons organized into a tangible entity.

My Rights

    HOW WE GOT HERE

  • 1. Perenial conmanship and betrayals at the top leadership.

  • 2. Pre and post election Lies and over ambitious promises.
  • 3. Nature of our politics that are not driven by ideologies but are commercialised,regional and tribal.
  • 4. Politics of Double speaks for conviniences.
  • 5. Shifting political fidelity driven by re-election ambitions for another term or higher office for coming elections.
  • 6. Social economic,and societal cultural challenges and dynamics leading to among others,celerating wrong heroes.
  • 7. Blame games and individualism where kenyans fail to act collectively and fails to take responsibility of the leaders they complain about,they are a product of our own system,their choices.
  • 8. Skewed public participation on policies both at the county and national level.
  • 9. Our democracy,minority will have their say majority their way mantle .
  • 10. Compromised judiciary,independence of judiciary not necesarily occupant of it .
  • 11.Poor religious teachings,misleading and some are commercialised and contraly to Godly economic principles as well as diluting the dignity and sanity of the Gospel giving leaders platforms to mislead the flock
  • 12. Strong Cartels led systems holding hostage of instuments responsible to achieve genuine change,fighting genuine pro change individuals with misleading propagadas and other mechanisms.
  • 13.Corruption,lack of transparency, good governance and accountability.

SAUTI IS ANCHORED ON THESE ATTRIBUTES

  • Clear Vision and Mission: Sauti ya Mkenya has a well-defined goal of advocating for transparency, accountability, and good governance, making it attractive to those disillusioned by the current political system.
  • Structured Organization: The platform's five pillars (Core Leadership, Sauti Activity, Sauti Assemblies,Sauti System and Jobs Opportunity) provide a comprehensive approach to engaging with the public, ensuring all aspects of civic engagement are covered.
  • Diverse Engagement Strategy: Through activities that resonate with the young generation and other age groups, Sauti ya Mkenya creates relevance and a strong bond with the community.
  • Civic Education Focus: By moving demonstrations from the streets to structured debates and discussions, Sauti ya Mkenya will educate the public and nurture future leaders.
  • Nationwide Reach: The establishment of Sauti Assemblies at national, county, constituency, and ward levels allows for widespread engagement across the country.
  • Jobs Opportunity Pillar: The platform offers a practical solution to unemployment by connecting employers with job seekers, enhancing its relevance and appeal to the public.

STATEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY

    Sauti ya Mkenya stands at a pivotal moment in Kenya's socio-political landscape, with a unique opportunity to capture and channel the growing discontent among the youth and other demographics frustrated by traditional political structures. As dissatisfaction with the current political system intensifies, particularly among the tech-savvy Gen Z and millennials, Sauti ya Mkenya will leverage digital platforms to reach and engage this broad and dynamic audience, significantly boosting the platform's influence. The strategic use of technology and social media will enable Sauti ya Mkenya to amplify its message, mobilize support, and foster a sense of community among those who are eager for change.

    Moreover, Sauti ya Mkenya's potential to form strategic partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organizations, including the business community, NGOs, international bodies, civil societies, labour movements, and the Law Society of Kenya, will further expand its reach and effectiveness. By aligning with pro-change individuals, whether they are in opposition or within the government, Sauti ya Mkenya will build a powerful coalition that transcends political affiliations, united by a common goal of transparency, accountability, and good governance.

    In addition to filling the significant gaps in civic space left by the failure of the Gen Z revolution and the co-option of the opposition, Sauti ya Mkenya will also address one of the most pressing issues facing the youth—unemployment. Through our Jobs Opportunity Pillar,providing a dedicated platform where job seekers will connect with employers, thereby offering economic empowerment to the youth. This initiative will not only attract a larger audience but also contribute to the overall mission of Sauti ya Mkenya by addressing socio-economic challenges that often underpin political discontent. Through these comprehensive efforts, Sauti ya Mkenya is poised to become a transformative force in Kenya, offering a new vision for the future rooted in civic engagement, economic opportunity, and collaborative action.

VOICE OF REASON

Kenya has a long history of scandals, extrajudicial killings, and corruption cases that have tainted its governance across various regimes. From the Goldenberg scandal in the 1990s to the Anglo Leasing scandal in the 2000s, and more recent issues like the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal, the Eurobond scandal during the Uhuru Kenyatta government, and the River Yala murder victims, the country has faced persistent governance challenges. Economic policies during the Uhuru regime, particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, further strained the lives of ordinary Kenyans, compounding the sense of injustice. Extrajudicial killings, especially in the name of counterterrorism and crime control, have also been a recurring issue, with human rights organizations frequently raising alarms.

Given this context, placing the blame solely on President Ruto for all of Kenya’s current problems, many of which were inherited from previous regimes, may seem unrealistic. Gen Z's reaction to every provocation, as if these issues were entirely new to Kenya, has been perceived by the president as pursuing an overly ambitious and perhaps impossible agenda of creating a perfect country. Additionally, the Gen Z movement may have unintentionally fallen prey to various forces seeking to destabilize the nation. This could explain President Ruto’s frustration and his eventual decision to co-opt the opposition into the government for convenience—a move that many viewed as a betrayal of the cause he once championed.

On the other hand, the ever-growing and shifting demands of Gen Z, combined with the tendency to blame the government for all deaths, including those from ordinary criminal activities, ritual killings, and serial murders, may have inadvertently provided cover for malicious actors to commit murder and further escalate tensions. The Gen Z movement's lack of clear leadership, political identity, and organizational structure made their protests vulnerable to infiltration. This not only threatened the stability of the country but also failed to meet internationally accepted standards for protests. Consequently, the government was not compelled to provide security, giving it the opportunity to crack down on and silence the Gen Z movement using its machinery.

While Gen Z is justified in raising concerns about the state of the nation, their approach was flawed. The president could have seized this moment to engage sincerely with the country and bring about tangible gains under the guise of revolution, without the risk of committing political suicide. However, the president also fell victim to perennial conmanship and betrayals among leaders, pre- and post-election lies, and overambitious promises.

Moreover, Kenya's political landscape is shaped by commercialized, regional, and tribal interests rather than ideological commitments. This has led to politics of double speak for convenience, shifting political fidelity driven by re-election ambitions, and the pursuit of higher office in upcoming elections. Social, economic, and cultural dynamics, along with blame games and individualism, further complicate the situation. Many Kenyans fail to act collectively and do not recognize that the leaders they complain about are a product of the system they themselves perpetuate through their choices. Corruption, lack of transparency, good governance, and accountability remain significant challenges that continue to undermine progress.

FOUR SCHOOL OF THOUGHTS SURROUNDING THE PROTESTS IN KENYA SPEARHEADED BY GEN Z:

    1.Optimistic Believers School of Thought: This group believes that Gen Z demonstrations are on the right path and are set to achieve meaningful outcomes. They overlooked or were unaware of the various challenges and underlying factors, such as the risk Gen-z being co-opted by political actors,infiltration, being shortchanged, or having their cause hijacked by the Government and the opposition for political realignments. These individuals often lack a deep understanding of high-stakes politics and its complexities. Their genuine desire for change and frustration of the status quo in social-economic challenges justifies their superficial excitement on any movement aimed at challenging the norm. However being passionate and energetic, but often driven more by emotion than by strategic thinking and careful planning.
    • Mindset: They are often swept up by crowd mentality and fleeting excitement, driven by anger rather than strategic thinking. Naivety and denial can cloud their understanding of the complex political landscape
    2.The Cautious Observers School of Thought: Those in this school of thought have begun to realize that something is amiss with the Gen Z demonstrations. They are starting to see the challenges mentioned above but are still waiting for events to unfold further before taking action. While they recognize that a problem exists, they are uncertain about what to do or how to address it. They remain somewhat caught in the haze of political dynamics, aware but unsure of the next steps.
    • Mindset: They know that changes are necessary but are unsure of how to proceed. They are still coming to terms with the political dynamics at play and are waiting to see how events unfold
    3.The Strategist Reformers School of Thought: This group has fully grasped the issues identified by the Skeptics and is actively working to ensure that the revolutionary momentum is not lost. They are focused and clear-headed, with a strong understanding of the political landscape. However, they face challenges in connecting with the majority of the Gen Z population. Their approach tends to be more reserved and strategic, which may not resonate with the Gen Z ethos. Much of their activity revolves around registering new political parties to counter the current political class, whom they view as the root of the problem. They believe that Gen Z, due to their numerical strength, can be a powerful force in the 2027 elections if properly organized and mobilized.
    • Mindset: They are focused on strategic actions and long-term impact, aiming to harness Gen Z's potential for significant change in the political landscape.However they fail to realise that genz anger cannot be converted into a vote as at now and also beliving that the current leadership is the problem is far too fetched since they are the product of our culture and system,evidenced by Mombasa genz celebrating when the former governor was given a CS position despite him not being a genz.Equally,their approach as the best solutions might appear oppotunistic and does not address the fate of falen heroes of the revolution or mechanism to engage the entire generations for impactiful and strong force
    4.Visionary School of Thought: This is the school of thought that Sauti aligns with,that is of participatory democracy and civic republicanism.
    • Participatory Democracy: This philosophy emphasizes the direct involvement of citizens in decision-making processes. Sauti ya Mkenya embodies this through its pillars, particularly the Sauti Assemblies, which encourage public participation,voice of reason among kenyans, and grassroots engagement on matters of governance and leadership.
    • Civic Republicanism: This highlights the importance of civic virtue, the common good, and active citizen participation to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. Sauti ya Mkenya's focus on fostering accountability, transparency, and good governance aligns with these principles, promoting an active, engaged citizenry committed to the public good.

    This school of thought, where Sauti ya Mkenya falls, recognized the pitfalls and challenges of the Gen Z revolution early on. Sauti ya Mkenya was formed with the foresight that after the dust settles—once the games have been played, shortchanging has occurred, and the government has managed to quell the protests—there would be a need for a sober and structured force to achieve the tangible gains that Gen Z initially intended. This group anticipated that the sacrifices made by those who died would be forgotten and that the government and politicians would continue with their usual practices. Sauti ya Mkenya understands the character of Gen Z: tech-savvy, risk-taking, but often lacking in reasoning and a stable approach. They aim to channel Gen Z's energy into a broader agenda that resonates with other age groups and stakeholders, transforming the movement into one that is inclusive and capable of lasting impact.

    • Mindset: They believe in nurturing Gen Z's potential for leadership, not just as a force of protest but as a voice of reason. Sauti ya Mkenya seeks to build a broad-based, inclusive movement that addresses the root causes of dissatisfaction and empowers citizens through structured assemblies and systems.