The promise of a unified government was sold to the Kenyan public as a way to heal the wounds of the 2022 election and address the urgent needs of the youth. However, the reality of the past few months has been a bitter pill for many young activists who risked their lives for change.
Edwin Sifuna’s recent critique of the government’s failure to honor its commitments reveals a stark disconnect between political rhetoric and the lived experience of the citizens. One of the most heartbreaking failures mentioned is the lack of justice for those killed or injured during the protests. Despite a signed agreement to protect human rights, the state has yet to offer meaningful compensation or accountability for the victims.
Beyond the issue of justice, the economic promises made to the youth remain unfulfilled. The “broad-based” government was supposed to focus on job creation and the reduction of the tax burden on small businesses. Instead, the focus has been on high-level political appointments and the distribution of cabinet positions.
Sifuna noted that while some opposition members have taken seats at the table, the table itself seems to be serving the interests of a select few. The ten-point agenda, which included measures to lower the cost of basic commodities, has been largely ignored. This neglect has fueled a sense of betrayal among the Gen Z population, who feel that their movement has been co-opted by the very establishment they were protesting against.
The failure to implement these reforms is not just a political issue but a moral one. The agreement signed by the leadership was a covenant with the people, yet it has been treated as a mere piece of paper. The ongoing reports of abductions and the intimidation of activists suggest that the culture of impunity remains entrenched.
Sifuna’s call for a return to the original spirit of the agreement is a desperate attempt to salvage what is left of the public’s trust. If the government and its new partners do not act quickly to address these grievances, they risk a total loss of legitimacy among the most vocal and energetic segment of the population. The 2026 deadline is not just a date on a calendar; it is a ticking time bomb for the current administration.