Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Kenyan President William Ruto took a decisive step on Thursday by dismissing almost all of his Cabinet ministers, vowing to form a lean and efficient new government. This move comes in response to weeks of intense protests over high taxes and poor governance. In a televised address, Ruto also dismissed the attorney general and stated that ministries would now be managed by their permanent secretaries.
Ruto explained that his decision was driven by the voice of the people and promised to establish a broad-based government after thorough consultations. Kenya has been gripped by three weeks of unrest, with protesters storming parliament on June 25 following the passage of a controversial finance bill proposing tax increases. The protests, which resulted in the deaths of over 30 people, have evolved into calls for Ruto’s resignation.
Despite the widespread dismissals, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, a crucial political ally of Ruto, retained his position. Ruto justified the dismissals by citing a comprehensive review of the Cabinet’s performance, stating that the new government would expedite the implementation of urgent programs to address the country’s debt burden, raise domestic resources, expand job opportunities, eliminate government waste, and combat corruption.
Following his 2022 election, Ruto appointed 21 Cabinet ministers, facing criticism for favoring political allies over technocrats. Several ministers had resigned from elected positions to accept ministerial roles, while others were perceived as political rewards after losing elections. Corruption scandals, particularly in the agriculture and health ministries, have plagued Ruto’s administration, fuelling public outrage.
Protesters accused the Cabinet of incompetence, arrogance, and flaunting opulence amidst Kenya’s high taxes and cost of living crisis. They demanded the president’s resignation, even though Ruto had pledged not to sign the finance bill proposing higher taxes. In response to the public outcry, Ruto apologized for the perceived arrogance and opulence displayed by legislators and ministers, taking responsibility and promising to address their behaviour.
Ruto also announced austerity measures, including dissolving 47 state corporations with overlapping functions to save money and withdrawing funding for the First Lady’s office. This marked a significant move to curb government expenditure and address public discontent.
Analyst Herman Manyora praised the Cabinet dismissal as a bold and necessary move to quell the growing unrest. This unprecedented action under the new constitution mirrors a similar event in 2005 when then-President Mwai Kibaki dismissed his ministers following a failed referendum to reassert his political authority. Ruto’s drastic reshuffle underscores the urgency of addressing Kenya’s pressing issues and restoring public trust in the government.
