Kenyan President William Ruto dismissed almost all of his Cabinet ministers on Thursday, promising to form a lean and efficient new government after weeks of protests over high taxes and poor governance.
In a televised address, President Ruto also dismissed the attorney general, stating that ministries would be run by their permanent secretaries until a new government is formed. He emphasized that this decision was made after listening to the public and that he would form a broad-based government following consultations.
Kenya has experienced three weeks of unrest, with protesters storming parliament on June 25 after the passage of a finance bill proposing tax increases. The protests, which have resulted in over 30 deaths, have also evolved into calls for Ruto’s resignation.
Ruto confirmed that prime Cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi, a key political ally, would remain in office. He explained that the dismissals followed “a holistic appraisal of the performance” of the Cabinet. The new government aims to accelerate the implementation of radical programs to address debt, increase domestic resources, expand job opportunities, eliminate wastage and duplication in government agencies, and combat corruption.
Since his election in 2022, Ruto appointed 21 Cabinet ministers. Critics accused him of favoring political allies over technocrats for ministerial roles. Some ministers resigned from elected positions for their appointments, while others who lost the election were perceived as being rewarded with political positions.
Several ministries, including agriculture and health, have been plagued by corruption scandals involving fake fertilizer and fund misappropriation. Protesters accused the Cabinet of incompetence, arrogance, and opulence amid high taxes and a cost-of-living crisis.
Despite Ruto’s refusal to sign the finance bill proposing higher taxes, demonstrators have continued to call for his resignation. On Friday, Ruto apologized for the “arrogance and show of opulence” by legislators and ministers, taking responsibility and pledging to address the issue.
Ruto also announced austerity measures, including the dissolution of 47 state corporations with overlapping functions to save money and the withdrawal of funding for the first lady’s office, among other cost-cutting initiatives.
Analyst and commentator Herman Manyora described the dismissal of the Cabinet as a “bold move” necessary to quell the country’s discontent. This marks the first time a sitting president has dismissed Cabinet ministers under the new constitution. The last similar occurrence was in 2005 when then-President Mwai Kibaki dismissed his ministers following a failed referendum to assert his political authority.