On Thursday, July 11th, Kenyan President William Ruto announced the dismissal of his entire cabinet, excluding the Deputy President and the Prime Cabinet Secretary, following weeks of intense anti-government protests. The youth-led demonstrations, initially peaceful, turned violent in response to a proposed tax hike, resulting in the deaths of at least 39 people in clashes with police.
In a televised address, President Ruto stated, “Upon reflection and a holistic appraisal, I have decided to engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations with the aim of setting up a broad-based government.” He emphasized the need to address the nation’s challenges and meet the high expectations of the Kenyan people.
The protests, driven by frustration over rising living costs and the controversial Finance Bill, escalated into the most significant crisis of Ruto’s presidency. Demonstrators briefly stormed parliament, prompting the President to withdraw the proposed tax increases. Ruto acknowledged that the situation had brought the country to an “inflection point,” necessitating decisive action.
John Githongo, a veteran anti-corruption activist, welcomed the cabinet’s dismissal, noting, “Let us see what happens now if the new ministers deal with big issues around corruption and just the arrogance and excess of his administration.”
The President also dismissed the Attorney General, signaling a comprehensive overhaul of his administration.
Ruto’s decision comes as he navigates the demands of international lenders like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce deficits while addressing the hardships faced by the Kenyan population. The rollback of the tax increases means Kenya is likely to miss IMF targets, despite the government’s assertion that no debts are immediately due. The budget deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1 is projected to be 4.6% of GDP.
Ojango Omondi, a community activist from the Social Justice Centres Working Group, viewed the cabinet changes as a “move towards justice” but emphasized the need for accountability in the new appointments. “It’s one thing to dismiss, the second is to ensure that the people that will be chosen in the cabinet are accountable to the constitution and the rule of law,” Omondi stated.
As President Ruto prepares to form a new government, he aims to implement radical programs focused on dealing with debt, expanding job opportunities, eliminating wastage, and combating corruption. The President promised that government operations would continue “uninterrupted” during the transition, with further measures to be announced in due course.
