Kenya’s anti-government protesters are shifting their attention to sitting Governors as they launched the ‘Occupy Counties’ protest, demanding the resignation of several Governors they accused of corruption, nepotism and poor service delivery.
Protesters in Kenya have been storming the offices of Governors demanding their ouster after accusing them of corruption and unending poor service delivery. Among the Governors targeted is Hillary Barchok of Bomet County in the former Rift Valley Province.
“Roads in Bomet are in a pathetic state,” says Timothy Kirui, a resident who participated in Tuesday’s protest against the Governor. “We don’t have water in our houses,” he tells The Africa Report, adding that the Governor has failed them despite promises to change their lives.
In response, Barchok blamed his political enemies for orchestrating protests against him to undermine his work. He asked for patience and promised to work on the concerns that had been raised by the demonstrators.
Plea for patience while water pipes remain dry
“I will engage you through dialogue. I cannot ignore your demands. Be patient with me,” Barchok pleaded with the protesters in a statement on 16 July.
The call for good governance by governors is unstoppable
During Tuesday’s protest, Benjamin Cheboi, the Governor of Baringo County at the heart of the Rift Valley Region, was forced to lock himself in his office in Kabarnet town fearing attacks from angry protestors as they broke a metallic gate of the office in an attempt to get to him. They accused him of corruption and being responsible for stalled projects.
In April, a report from the auditor general revealed that up to KSh6bn set for expenditure could not be accounted for by the county administration of Baringo.
“We are tired of this Governor. We want him to out today,” said a protester who was at the office gate when it was being broken.
In the port county of Mombasa, protestors attempting to invade Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s offices were met with a heavy deployment of police officers.
Political activist Anthony Odhiambo tells The Africa Report that the wave of change that has come to the counties will increase. “The call for good governance by governors is unstoppable,’ he says, adding that Kenyans in the counties want leaders who actively address their issues.
In Kakamega County, angry protesters on 16 July clashed with the police as they targeted Governor Fernandes Barasa. The demonstrators wanted the Governor to “seal all corruption loopholes and remove all unnecessary” staff, including advisors in the offices of the Governor and his deputy.
They also demanded that the governor stop rewarding his political allies with jobs, and reconstitute a new and much leaner executive team to run the county’s affairs.
Kilonzo’s quick about-turn on proposed tax hikes
On 2 July, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, acted fast after he backtracked on his plan to increase taxes fearing the wrath of his residents, who cried foul over increased proposed tax hikes in the county’s 2024 Finance Bill.
The mistrust of their people is deepening, and what the people want is service and their concerns addressed
“I dropped the hikes after receiving intelligence reports that residents were planning protests against me,” he says, adding that he had understood that his people were going through tough economic times.
Governance expert Alenga Torosterdt, tells The Africa Report that though the protests against the Governors might have been motivated by their political opponents, the agitations of the people are legitimate.
“It’s a wake-up call for Governors. The people they represent are quickly losing trust in these leaders,’ he says. “The protests are a reminder to Governors that the mistrust of their people is deepening, and what the people want is service and their concerns addressed.”
@Africa Report