Smaels Kariuki

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya Our 2010Cok is supreme and should be respected,we must have leaders who hold national values, integrity and ready to serve the interest of the people.

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

Saba Saba was not only a struggle for political freedoms but also a call for a more just, equitable, and inclusive Kenya where every citizen could access opportunities, public services, and economic prosperity without discrimination or marginalization.

The Constitution guarantees equality, non-discrimination, and equitable development. Devolution has improved access to services in many parts of the country. However, significant inequalities remain in income, employment opportunities, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and access to basic services across regions and communities.

According to the World Bank and KNBS, poverty and inequality continue to affect millions of Kenyans, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Socio-economic disparities remain evident in employment, education outcomes, healthcare access, and household incomes despite notable progress in reducing extreme poverty over the past two decades.

How can Kenya ensure that the democratic gains achieved since Saba Saba translate into equal opportunities, dignity, and shared prosperity for all citizens?

#TelekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya Equality still remains a challenge to not every child is able to afford quality education based on their vulnerability and marginalization..much more is needed to achieve the for equal opportunity for all all over the country

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

The Saba Saba movement envisioned a Kenya where every citizen had equal opportunities to succeed through access to quality education. Activists believed that education was essential for empowering citizens, reducing inequality, promoting social mobility, and enabling meaningful participation in democratic governance.

Kenya has made significant progress in expanding access to education through free primary education, increased secondary school enrolment, and constitutional recognition of education as a right. However, many learners continue to face challenges related to affordability, school infrastructure, teacher shortages, digital inequality, and access to quality learning, particularly in marginalized communities.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), literacy rates have improved significantly over the past three decades, and primary school enrolment exceeds 90%. However, disparities in learning outcomes, school completion rates, and access to quality education persist across counties and socio-economic groups. Recent government reports also continue to highlight teacher shortages and infrastructure gaps in public schools.

Thirty-six years after Saba Saba, has Kenya achieved an education system that provides every child with an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their background?
#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya @TISAKenya Ensure the human life is protected at all cost as demonstration is constitutional right.Ensuring that those committing the abductions,killings and such face the rule of law.

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

The Saba Saba movement opposed state repression, arbitrary arrests, torture, and excessive use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional freedoms.

Concerns about police accountability and the use of force during demonstrations continue to feature prominently in national conversations on governance, justice, and human rights.

Human rights organizations have documented deaths, injuries, arrests, and allegations of excessive force during recent demonstrations, renewing calls for greater police accountability and reforms.

Thirty-six years after Saba Saba, what reforms are needed to ensure public safety while fully protecting citizens' constitutional rights?
#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya @TISAKenya Through more civic education to understand the constitution,civic rights and responsibilities

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

Saba Saba was a struggle for political freedom, multiparty democracy, human rights, free and fair elections, accountability, the rule of law, and constitutional governance. Activists demanded freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, protection of civic space, and an end to state repression, corruption, and abuse of power.

The 2010 Constitution guarantees these rights and freedoms, and Kenya has made significant democratic gains. However, concerns persist over shrinking civic space, police brutality, arbitrary arrests, restrictions on freedom of expression, threats to digital freedoms, and accountability during public demonstrations.

Human rights organizations, including KNCHR and IPOA, continue to document cases of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and violations of the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression during recent demonstrations, highlighting the need to strengthen constitutional protections and accountability.

Thirty-six years after Saba Saba, how can Kenya better protect human rights, civic space, political freedoms, and the rule of law while strengthening accountability and constitutional governance?
#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya Public finance is mismanaged,we keep borrowing and 70% is lost through corruption

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

The Saba Saba movement demanded responsible governance, prudent management of public resources, and leadership that placed citizens' welfare at the centre of national development.

Public debate increasingly focuses on rising taxation, public debt, government expenditure, and whether public resources are translating into improved services and economic opportunities.

Recent public opinion surveys continue to identify the high cost of living, unemployment, and poverty as leading national concerns, reflecting broader debates about taxation, public expenditure, and economic management.

Are public resources being managed in a manner that reflects the aspirations of the Saba Saba movement?
#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya @TISAKenya This can only work out by engaging the young people to be part of governance, public participation and listening to their voices and creating job opportunities and promoting inclusiveness.

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

Saba Saba activists of (1990) envisioned a Kenya where democratic governance would create equal opportunities, decent jobs, and economic empowerment for all.

Despite a young and educated population, unemployment and underemployment remain major challenges, particularly among young people.The 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey ranked unemployment as Kenya's number one national challenge (49.1%).

How can the government create meaningful opportunities for young people and fulfil the economic promise of democracy?

#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya @TISAKenya The justice system is not exercised and transparency remains a challenge where only a few benefit from those who are in power and unemployment becomes a norm especially to the young people , corruption still remains to be the elephant in the room in all talks in Kenya

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

The Saba Saba movement was not only a struggle for political freedoms but also for economic justice, accountable management of public resources, and improved living standards for ordinary Kenyans. Citizens demanded a government that would prioritize the welfare of its people through prudent public finance management, equitable development, job creation, affordable public services, and responsible use of taxpayer resources.
36 Years Later, While Kenya has made significant democratic gains, economic hardship remains a major concern for many households. Millions of Kenyans continue to grapple with the rising cost of food, transport, housing, fuel, healthcare, and other basic necessities. At the same time, concerns over the management of public finances, growing public debt, corruption, and inefficient public expenditure continue to dominate national discourse.

Kenya's public debt has now surpassed KES 12 trillion, raising questions about fiscal sustainability, debt servicing, and the long-term impact on economic growth and future generations. As debt obligations increase, a significant share of public revenue is directed towards debt repayment, reducing the fiscal space available for essential services such as healthcare, education, social protection, infrastructure, and youth employment.

The 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey also identifies the high cost of living, unemployment, and corruption among the country's most pressing challenges, highlighting the interconnected nature of governance, public finance, and citizens' welfare.

Thirty-six years later, is Kenya's public finance system delivering the economic justice and responsible governance envisioned by the champions of Saba Saba?
#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya @TISAKenya @thekhrc Healthcare remains a challenge today despite the hard efforts made by Kenya's all this brought up by high public debt and corruption and bad governance as they say they repay the debt Kenyans continue to suffer

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

Beyond political freedoms, citizens demanded a government that guaranteed dignity through equitable access to quality healthcare, education, and other essential public services.

Healthcare remains a constitutional right, yet many Kenyans continue to face challenges related to affordability, access, staffing, and quality of care, particularly in public health facilities.

The 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey identified inadequate healthcare among the country's major public concerns, while Afrobarometer found healthcare to be the top priority that Kenyan youth want government to address.

Thirty-six years later, has Kenya achieved the quality healthcare that citizens fought for?
#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya @TISAKenya We have to first win corruption by ensuring we have strong accountability systems and that those found engaging in corruption face the rule of law

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

The Saba Saba movement demanded integrity in public office, an end to abuse of power, transparency in government, and responsible management of public resources.

Corruption remains one of Kenya's biggest governance challenges, affecting public services, economic development, and citizen trust in government institutions.

According to the 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey, 52.1% of respondents witnessed bribery in public offices, 30.5% encountered bribery, and 97.2% of bribery incidents went unreported due to fear of retaliation and lack of confidence in reporting systems.

Can Kenya fully realize the promise of Saba Saba without winning the fight against corruption?
#TekelezaKatibaKE

[Smaels Kariuki @SmaelsK]

@Maskani254 @kawive @nisisikenya @TISAKenya @thekhrc No ..we are still fighting for a democratic country where citizens voices are still ignored and response with threats when the truth stands

[Maskani Ya Taifa 🇰🇪 @Maskani254]

Saba Saba activists demanded an end to authoritarian rule and called for accountable leadership, constitutional governance, multiparty democracy, transparency, and a government that served the interests of its citizens rather than political elites.

Kenya has made significant democratic progress through the 2010 Constitution, devolution, and independent oversight institutions. However, concerns over weak accountability, misuse of public resources, poor service delivery, and declining public trust in institutions continue to dominate public discourse.

The 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey identified unemployment, corruption, poverty, and the high cost of living as the country's most pressing challenges, highlighting continued public concern about governance and accountability.

Thirty-six years after Saba Saba, has Kenya built the accountable government that citizens envisioned in 1990?
#TekelezaKatibaKE