Sam Gituku to John Mbadi: Why Are You in Govt? Did You Take Advantage of The Gen Z Protests to Enter KK Govt?

It has been two years since President William Ruto appointed John Mbadi as the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the National Treasury, yet questions about the timing and motivations behind the move continue to linger. 

The nomination, which followed the sudden removal of Njuguna Ndung’u from the position, sparked significant public debate at the time and continues to attract scrutiny.

Mbadi’s appointment came during a wave of protests led by Generation Z (Gen Z), who were expressing widespread frustrations over unemployment, economic inequality, and limited opportunities for young people. 

The demonstrations put immense pressure on the government to address economic issues, and some critics have suggested that his nomination may have been influenced by the need to stabilize public perception.

Prominent journalist Sam Gituku publicly questioned the timing of Mbadi’s entry into government, asking: 

“Why are you in government? Did you take advantage of the Gen Z protests to enter government?” The question reflected a broader sentiment that the seasoned politician may have leveraged the unrest to secure a high-profile role at a critical moment.

John Mbadi, a veteran politician, had already served four terms as a Member of Parliament before his appointment as Treasury CS. 

Beyond politics, he held senior positions in finance and management, including Finance Director for Medair East Africa’s South Sudan Programme and senior accountant at the University of Nairobi. 

He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration, credentials that underline his expertise in economic management.

Despite his qualifications, critics argue that the timing of his appointment was more than coincidental. 

The government’s swift decision to bring him on board amid Gen Z protests was seen by some as a strategy to demonstrate responsiveness to public pressure rather than a purely merit-based appointment.

Two years later, Mbadi’s tenure continues to be evaluated against this backdrop of economic unrest and public expectations. 

Supporters argue that his leadership has brought stability and continuity to the Treasury, while critics insist that questions about the motivations behind his appointment remain relevant, particularly given ongoing challenges in job creation and youth economic empowerment.