Back to the streets: Opposition, Gen Z call for mass action over fuel prices, high cost of living

Street protests are set to return tomorrow as activists push for lower fuel prices and a reduced cost of living.

Opposition figures and Gen Z groups have designated Tuesday as a day of picketing to express dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of fuel prices and broader governance concerns.

The situation escalated yesterday when the Linda Mwananchi group announced plans for sustained disruption on June 24, 25 and 26, aimed at pressuring President William Ruto to leave office.

President Ruto travelled to Italy yesterday for trade talks with Italian leaders and will be out of the country as political tensions rise at home.

Siaya Governor James Orengo said the youth would turn out in large numbers to ensure the President is removed before 2027.

Speaking at Kivumbini PAG Church in Nakuru City ahead of a public rally, Orengo said the time had come to “send Ruto home by force” to save Kenya.

“I want to tell you now, when God’s time is right, there is no debate on whether it is one term or two terms. Saa ya Mungu ikifika unaenda siku hiyo (when God’s time comes, you leave immediately). When Jesus came to save the world, he was here only for three years.

“So, I’m asking Kenyans, the hour has come and the hour is now. Kwa Kasongo nasema one term, lakini kwa mwenyezi Mungu, naomba hiyo one term amalize 2026. Wangapi wamekubali Kasongo asiende mapema 2027,” Orengo asked a congregation attending Sunday service.

Linda Mwananchi

He continued, “I’m saying this because the 24th of June is coming. How many still remember the 24th of June 2025? Gen Z lost their lives for this country, so us as Linda Mwananchi on the 24th, 25th and 26th of June, I am asking you from Nakuru, let us make this country ungovernable. This has happened before. I am confident the next government will be formed by Linda Mwananchi. How many of you believe that Linda Mwananchi will form the government? 

“No matter what President Ruto says or does, we will continue to the end. We do not fear any prison; we do not fear death. We do not fear anything but fear itself. If we have leaders like Babu Owino, Osotsi, and Sifuna, there is no war we cannot win. And this war we are going to win now.”

The leaders vowed to ensure Ruto “goes home”, saying that with the support of the young people, “nothing will be impossible”.

Orengo’s call comes as plans for the June 25, 2024, memorial are underway.

On that date, thousands of Kenyans, led by Gen Z, held nationwide protests against the Finance Bill 2024, culminating in the storming of Parliament in Nairobi.

Police responded with live ammunition and teargas, resulting in multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries, leading to the bill’s subsequent withdrawal by Ruto.

United opposition

Orengo’s remarks came days after the United Opposition under the leadership of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had threatened to proceed with mobilising nationwide mass protests if the government failed to lower fuel prices. They also accused Ruto of presiding over a failed economy.

On the death of ODM leader Raila Odinga, Orengo said, “Ruto owes Kenyans an explanation because he is the one who organised Raila’s evacuation to India against the wishes of his doctors. He must tell us what happened.”

Concerning the leadership of ODM, Orengo declared Sifuna as the de facto secretary general, and declared himself as the acting party leader, saying Oburu Oginga was unfit to lead.

Buoyed by the massive support they received from residents of Nakuru, the Linda Mwananchi leaders decried the collapse of the economy, saying it has pushed more Kenyans into poverty.

Riding on a growing wave of support from young people, the group promised to liberate the country.

Sifuna, the embattled ODM Secretary General, attacked what he called the government’s failure to ease the pressure on ordinary Kenyans, from jobless graduates and soaring food prices to heavier taxes.

He described Ruto’s leadership as one that is out of touch with Kenyans. He said his movement is about shifting power and attention back to citizens who feel sidelined by political deals at the top.

“This country can be led differently within the law, and following the Constitution. We should respect human rights. We do not want roads,” he said.

On fuel prices, Sifuna said it was evident from the recent events that saw the president twice revise fuel prices downwards that the crisis has nothing to do with market forces but the whims of the president.

G2G arrangement

The event was attended by Governor James Orengo, senators Edwin Sifuna, Richard Onyonka and Godfrey Osotsi, MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai) and Caleb Hamisi (Saboti).

Others were former MP Reuben Ndolo, and activists Pauline Njoroge and Brian Weke, among several aspiring leaders.

Osotsi criticised the government-to-government arrangement on fuel importation, claiming that some local companies were involved in the deal.

On the ODM party wrangles, the senator said it was clear that the current leadership of the party had fallen into the trap of Ruto, “who has managed to destroy the Orange Party from within”.

“It is now clear that Ruto has bought ODM and has been using it to advance his political mission of ensuring that the party does not survive to be instrumental in the 2027 elections,” he said.

Failed Kenyans

Babu Owino said Ruto’s administration has failed Kenyans by failing to fulfil his pre-election promises to Kenyans.

“Linda Mwananchi will not allow the country to continue to suffer under Ruto’s leadership. The only option we have as Kenyans is to remove Ruto from office and replace him with a caring leader,” he said.

Suba East MP Caroli Omondi said if Oburu and his Linda Ground group want to end the leadership row in the party, all officials must resign and allow Sifuna to call for a National Delegates Conference to elect new members.