James Ndungu, the son of Hon. Wainaina Njoroge from Nyeri County, has been spotted at the Kenya-Uganda border in Malaba with his family, leading to speculation that he is fleeing the country. This comes in the wake of the ongoing Gen Z Uprising against the rising cost of living and the controversial 2024 Finance Bill in Kenya, which has sparked significant unrest among the youth, particularly within Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Mt. Kenya.
James has reportedly fled due to threats and attacks directed at him for his public support of President William Ruto. As a businessman and the son of a Member of Parliament for Kieni Nyeri County, he has found himself in a precarious situation. Many are now questioning whether President Ruto will ultimately sign the Finance Bill into law or call for its withdrawal, as he claims to have heard the concerns of Kenyans, including the youth who stormed the parliament building, this is after calling them terrorists.
The protests, which began in Nairobi, quickly spread to other cities and towns across Kenya, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Kakamega, ultimately reaching all 47 counties.
On June 20, 2024, the Finance Bill 2024 successfully passed its Second Reading in Parliament. A total of 319 Members voted, with the results announced by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula:
The debate on the Bill commenced on June 19, 2024, with Members expressing diverse opinions on its 65 clauses.
The fate of James, his family, and any remaining assets now rests in the hands of fate and the mercy of those who may view him as an adversary. Once a symbol of a hardworking young Kenyan, James has been reduced to a state of desperation. If President Ruto does not take decisive action soon, the situation in the country may deteriorate further.
