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After the deadly protests by brave youths against the insolence of the Kenya Kwanza administration, the political class regrouped for self-preservation.

At the core of the Gen Z protests, for which some paid the ultimate price, the youths were demanding accountability on how public funds are used, taxation, human rights, access to equal opportunity and educational financing.

As retired Chief Justice David Maraga put it yesterday, the protests were an expression of “a desire of Kenyans from all walks of life to take charge of our collective destiny”.

According to Maraga, the youth-led revolt was also a desire to address the culture of impunity and confront the outright callousness and unresponsive attitudes to genuine issues of public concern.

Faced with an apparent existential threat, President William Ruto disbanded his Cabinet and later appointed what he described as a “broad-based government”.

This was typically an amorphous assembly of old political friends put together to defeat the cause of the protesters.

Given the insensitivity and arrogance that is being displayed by Ruto’s now energised government after the inclusion of Opposition members, there is everything that the spirit of the Gen Z protests may well be awakened.

Yesterday’s demos over abductions might only be the tip of the iceberg. But it is the hypocrisy of the ruling political cabal that is most annoying, particularly the conduct of Ruto and former premier Raila Odinga and their minions. They don’t seem to have learnt anything and continue to be impervious to reason and good manners.

Ruto says the expanded government structure draws lessons from past protests and seeks to foster development while reducing political divisions.

Raila, who stands accused of hijacking the Gen Z protests to cut a political deal that saw members of his ODM party included in the Cabinet, has been blowing hot and cold.

He seems keen to take Kenyans for a ride that he had not entered a pact with the Ruto administration, while all his actions show that he has embraced it, motivated by his ambitions for the African Union Commission chairmanship.

Raila cannot have his cake and eat it. He shares blame for the ills of this administration, which he reinforced when it faced removal.