Ruto could be biggest beneficiary of Gen-Z revolution - Eric Omondi

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto will end up as the biggest beneficiary from 'millennials and Gen-Zs' revolution, if he implements far reaching reforms that Kenyans want to see.

According to comedian turned activist Eric Omondi, President Ruto should grab the chance accorded to him through protests spearheaded by youth, to come up with a lean government in a bid to turn around the country's economic fortunes.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Citizen TV on Friday morning, Omondi said the President should reduce the number of counties from the current 47 to 24 geared towards managing the nation's wage bill.

“We need a lean government. President Ruto could be the biggest winner of the Gen Z revolution because he’s been given an opportunity to do what the people want,” said Omondi.

“I might be the only person who has the moral authority to say what I have to say because I have been arrested 13 times and my message has never changed. We need a very lean government, I would even suggest, Mr president take your time and when you’re ready, we need to cut down on the number of counties and governors from 47 to 24," he said, giving an example of state of Texas in the United States of America, which is bigger than Kenya and is only led by a governor.

It is however worth noting that the President does not have powers to single handedly reduce the number of counties.

For that to happen, Kenyans will have to go to a referendum to effect constitutional changes.

Omondi also wants the position of Women Representative scrapped. The country has 47 of them.

“How could we have a clause in the Finance Bill 2024 that taxes pads and we have 47 woman reps. They couldn’t hold a forum or maandamano against it? What are they representing? Do we need woman reps?" paused the comedian.

"The president needs to do away with people who need to be done away with. He started by dissolving the Cabinet. I know he will fire all the parastatal heads. He needs to fire the Inspector General of Police today,” he added.

On Friday, the President dissolved his entire cabinet save for deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, on the backdrop of pressure on his administration by youth.