Kenyan President William Ruto has dissolved his entire cabinet, retaining only the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, and Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, following weeks of anti-government protests.
The decision also included signing the controversial Kenya Housing Levy Law and removing budgets for the offices of the First Lady and Second Lady.
The protests, which started as a reaction to the controversial 2024 Finance Bill, have now evolved into a broader call for the president’s resignation. Kenyans have been voicing their frustrations over issues such as corruption, extra-judicial killings, abductions, and the government’s perceived incompetence.
During a televised address, President Ruto acknowledged the public’s concerns and the need for a “broad-based” government to address the country’s pressing issues, including the burden of debt, the need to raise domestic resources, and the elimination of waste and corruption in the government.”I have decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the cabinet secretaries and the Attorney General of the cabinet of Kenya, except the prime cabinet secretary and cabinet secretary for diaspora affairs,” Ruto said. “The office of the vice president is not affected in any way.”The president’s decision to dissolve the cabinet is seen as a move to appease the protesters and demonstrate a willingness to engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations. Ruto has also reached out to opposition leader Raila Odinga in an effort to quell the tensions that have gripped the country.
The current crisis began after the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition failed to heed calls to reject the controversial 2024 Finance Bill, which was finally withdrawn on June 25 after demonstrators overran the parliament. The bill had proposed tax increases on essential items such as bread, cars, diapers, and sanitary towels, sparking outrage among the public.
In the wake of the bill’s withdrawal, Ruto has slashed the 2024/2025 budget by $1.3 billion, representing almost half of the $2.7 billion extra revenue the administration had hoped to raise from the new taxes. This move is seen as a concession to the protesters and an acknowledgment of the government’s inability to meet its revenue targets.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of the protests, the Kenyan public remains vigilant, with some calling for the president’s resignation and demanding accountability for the government’s actions.
The dissolution of the cabinet is a significant step, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to quell the growing discontent and restore trust in the Ruto administration.