“Ruto, Ramaphosa must go”: Kenya vs South Africa protests catch global attention

• Kenya’s and South Africa’s Opposition leaders Julius Malema and Raila Odinga all called for defiance protests against Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and William Ruto respectively
• The protests were in defiance of the current regimes in both countries where presidents were accused of incompetence
• Malema accused the regime of failing to sustain electricity access to all citizens of the country as supporters demanded improved health care
• Raila’s defiance was anchored on high cost of living, electoral reforms and alleged tribal appointments in government
• Both demonstrations saw businesses closed down for the better part of the day and heavy deployment of police officers

Was it a coincidence or planned? This was a question many people asked when they realised that South Africa’s Opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Kenya‘s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance would spearhead countrywide protests.

In Kenya, the protests began in Nairobi, Kisumu and other counties after Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga did an early morning social media post urging Kenyans from all walks of life to join in the demonstrations.

Raila Odinga and Julius Malema in streets

Raila however, was not able to join the masses in the streets with his whereabouts remaining unknown for the better part of the day until he showed up with his affiliates to address the press shortly after midday.

This protests came about 11 days since he made a declaration for mass protests to defy President William Ruto’s leadership on Thursday, March 9, with issues of protest being high cost of living and demands to review the electoral process of August 2022.

In South Africa, Malema and his supporters made true their National Shutdown call for protests and jammed the streets of different places including Sandton, Cape Town, Pretoria and across provinces

Incompetence, electricity blackouts and high cost of living

Malema like Raila’s camp are accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s regime of being incompetent and unable to contain blackouts, provide health care and other basic needs of the citizens.

The vocal EFF leader mustered large numbers across the country to join the National Shutdown at the chagrin of leaders from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) leaders.

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula condemned the National Shutdown call saying it was going to bring unrest and panic to South Africa, reiterating that the nation was not a; “Banana Republic.”

Malema termed the National Shutdown a success, having been able to address his supporters and joined them in the march across streets, with observers saying it was the most peaceful post-apartheid revolt unlike one that happened two years ago costing hundreds of lives.

Mass action arrests in Kenya and South Africa

By 6pm it was reported that at least 87 protesters had been arrested due to breaches of law during the National Shutdown protests with thousands of military and regular police officers having been deployed to oversee the demonstrations.

In Kenya there were several arrests that included four Azimio la Umoja MPs who were detained and released on a KSh 50,000 cash bail later in the day.

Both Raila and Ramaphosa had vowed to take their grievances to State House and Presidential Residence respectively but only the latter having managed to get closer to the protected area.

Ruto must go, Ramaphosa must go chants

Raila on the other hand was met by heavy contingent of elite police officers who blocked roads to Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and routes leading to State House barricaded with elite General Service Unit troops.

The Kenyan Opposition leader ended up addressing his supporters in parts of Nairobi city where many businesses remained closed with traders anticipating losses due to looting by some rogue protesters.

Business losses

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on Raila to consider ending the mass protests as it had cost Nairobi over KSh 2 billion in business on Monday, March 20, alone.

In South Africa too, many businesses remained closed with car dealers like Ford, Mercedes Benz and Mazda removing their vehicles from their yards fearing vandalism from protesters.

Overall the Kenyan protest witnessed a lot of confrontation between police officers and civilians with teargas canisters lobbed severally and a shooting incident reported in Ngong and Maseno University.

The numbers that showed up in South Africa’s National Shutdown however, looked huge and united in their marches that were largely peaceful.

The demonstrations were punctuated with chants of “Ruto must go” when Raila addressed his supporters with South Africans tweeting and retweeting with the #Ramaphosamustgo hashtag.

Malema reiterated that there was no time to retreat or surrender in the push and Raila declared that, despite police interruptions and alleged State intimidations, the protests would go on every Monday.

Source: TUKO.co.ke