The streets of Kenya have, for months, been a testament to a nation in profound discontent. As protests swell, marked by passionate calls for change and, tragically, a rising death toll from police action, a powerful voice has emerged from within the governance structure itself. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has delivered a stark and unequivocal warning to the national leadership: using security forces to stage a deadly fight against dissenting Kenyans will not shield the government indefinitely.
Governor Natembeya contends that the government has become "tone deaf" to the legitimate demands of its citizens, choosing instead to insulate itself with an excessive display of police power. This, he argues, is a dangerous and ultimately unsustainable strategy. "If today 1 million Kenyans walked to State House, what are they going to do? Are they going to kill everybody?" he questioned pointedly during an interview on Spice FM. His words underscore a fundamental truth about power: "All these walls we build around ourselves as leaders are fake. They can just crumble. At the end of the day power is with the people."
Natembeya’s critique extends beyond the tactics of suppression to the very essence of national leadership. He firmly believes that the government's failure to heed the cries of Kenyans is a clear indication of how ill-informed the national leadership has become. In a direct appeal, he urged President William Ruto to "put his house in order," emphasizing that true leadership lies in listening and responding to the populace, rather than confronting it.
For Governor Natembeya, a significant part of curing the current national upheaval lies in addressing Kenya's ailing economy and providing genuine incentives for the youth to secure a livelihood. He paints a grim picture of the current economic reality faced by young Kenyans. "We have done a huge disservice to this country," he lamented. "We are not supposed to be where we are now where unemployment is almost at 60%. Chances of you living a lifetime without a job in Kenya are very real, not because you haven't gone to school. It's because you can't get a job."
These are the core grievances, he asserts, that are driving the young people to the streets. "And that is what the young people are talking about. We are taking it very casually and we think because we are leaders we are very safe." His words serve as a stark reminder that the current wave of protests is deeply rooted in socio-economic frustrations, not merely political dissent.
Natembeya's powerful statements come in the wake of recent deadly protests, particularly those surrounding the Saba Saba anniversary on Monday, July 7, which tragically resulted in numerous fatalities. As of Tuesday evening, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) recorded a harrowing 31 deaths and 107 injuries, underscoring the severe human cost of the government's hardline approach. Reports from the ground indicated an intimidating police presence across various parts of the nation, particularly in the capital, with protesters reportedly being chased even into their homes and estates.
