The RutoMustGo movement, while visible and impactful, is not a sustainable long-term resistance due to its lack of foundational support and ideological clarity. The movement must emphasize the importance of worker and peasant unity and articulate a detailed vision to galvanize broader support. The current socio-political environment in Kenya restricts opposition activities, yet there remains potential for a more significant resistance force to rise against capitalism and imperialism.
In recent times, substantial focus has been placed on the resistance actions initiated by Generation Z and others under the RutoMustGo movement in Kenya. This visibility is warranted, as these activities represent a prominent face of dissent within the country over the past year. However, such forms of resistance are often temporary and challenging to sustain in the long term, primarily due to their lack of foundational support for enduring activism. While the resistance undoubtedly influences the socio-political landscape, it is imperative to recognize its limitations and the need for a more organized and persistent movement.
Expectations regarding the imminent overthrow of President Ruto have been deemed unrealistic. The current resistance must be conceptualized within a framework that emphasizes long-term objectives and structured organization to ensure its viability. Without such a framework, there exists a significant risk of isolation from the regime, jeopardizing long-term support from sympathizers and undermining the movement’s effectiveness over time.
Historical events indicate that protest actions such as street marches have failed to maintain momentum over extended periods, necessitating an analysis to extract meaningful lessons from this crucial period of resistance. A paramount aspect to consider is the existing power dynamics between the comprador government and resistance groups. As articulated in a previous commentary, President Ruto possesses considerable political power, inclusive of control over governmental apparatus, law enforcement, and media channels, rendering resistance efforts difficult in the face of such authority.
Furthermore, the opposition faces several challenges that warrant examination. There is a notable absence of support from organized labor and peasant movements, creating a vulnerability to potential isolation under government oppression. This isolation could result in severe consequences, including violent reprisals against activists, while the regime strategically observes the decline of the resistance movement. The temporal advantage rests with Ruto’s regime, which can endure extended stretches while opposition groups grapple with both state repression and their daily survival.
Another critical deficit within the resistance is the absence of a cohesive ideological framework that could galvanize the working class and other marginalized groups in pursuit of a unified resistance against capitalism. Historical precedents, such as the Mau Mau movement’s clear declaration of their demands for ‘Land and Freedom,’ illustrate the benefits of articulating a definitive vision to inspire wider support and engagement. In contrast, the present movement lacks such clear direction, thus rendering it challenging for workers and peasants to enlist in a collective endeavor.
Unity among the working class and allied groups plays a pivotal role in successfully opposing the comprador government’s authority. Nonetheless, the establishment of a robust working class movement capable of spearheading resistance against prevailing capitalist structures appears lacking. Yet, resistance efforts by workers and peasants persist, albeit often unrecognized by the ruling elite. A deeper examination of class dynamics and ongoing struggles is imperative to document and understand these underlying tensions.
The present environment in Kenya is characterized by restrictions on legitimate opposition activities, including the stifling of independent labor unions and peasant organizations. Workers and landless citizens are left to resort to forms of defiance that reflect their dire circumstances. The ruling class may perceive the latent dissatisfaction with nonchalance, given their insulation from the consequences faced by the impoverished populace, who bear the brunt of chaos perpetuated under imperial influence.
Despite ongoing attention directed towards the RutoMustGo movement, a more extensive, potentially transformative force of resistance is brewing within Kenya. While presently subdued, this collective force possesses the potential to catalyze significant change, either leading to liberation from the constraints of capitalism and imperialism or descending into chaos, contingent upon the responses orchestrated by imperial interests.
In summary, while the GenZ-led RutoMustGo resistance has garnered significant attention as a visible focal point of dissent in Kenya, it lacks the foundational stability necessary for prolonged impact. To ensure sustainable activism, the movement must embrace a coherent ideology and foster unity among workers and marginalized groups. Historical insights underscore the importance of articulating clear objectives that resonate with potential supporters. As the socio-political landscape evolves, a broader force of resistance, though presently nascent, may emerge to confront the oppressive structures of capitalism and imperialism in Kenya.
Original Source: countercurrents.org
