Kenyan President William Ruto has fired his entire cabinet, except for the foreign minister, in response to nationwide protests that have marked the biggest crisis of his two-year presidency. The youth-led protests, initially peaceful, turned violent, resulting in at least 39 deaths in clashes with the police.
The demonstrations erupted over planned tax hikes, with some protestors even storming parliament. Bowing to the pressure, Ruto abandoned the proposed taxes and made the drastic decision to dissolve his cabinet. In a televised address, Ruto stated, “I will immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations and other Kenyans, both in public and private, with the aim of setting up a broad-based government.” He added that additional measures would be announced later.
Ruto also dismissed the attorney general but noted that the office of the deputy president was not affected by these changes.
Public and Political Reactions
The cabinet overhaul has been welcomed by many, including veteran anti-corruption activist John Githongo. “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 and the fact that a lot of Kenyans died during the demonstrations,” he said. “Hopefully this should temporarily calm things.”
Ruto has been caught between the demands of international lenders, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to cut deficits and a population struggling with the rising cost of living. Last week, he proposed a combination of spending cuts and additional borrowing to address the nearly $2.7 billion budget deficit caused by the rollback of the tax hikes. Analysts have suggested that abandoning the tax hikes means Kenya is likely to miss IMF targets, though the government does not have any immediate debt repayments due. The budget deficit is now projected at 4.6% of the gross domestic product for the fiscal year that started on July 1.
Ojango Omondi, a community activist from the Social Justice Centres Working Group in Nairobi, described the cabinet dismissals as a “move towards justice.” However, he emphasized that activists would be closely watching to see who Ruto appoints to the new cabinet. “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 said.
Economic and Social Implications
Ruto’s decision to dissolve the cabinet and engage in broader consultations is seen as a significant move to stabilize the country amid growing unrest. The protests reflect widespread discontent with economic policies and governance issues. The president’s commitment to forming a broad-based government aims to include diverse voices in the decision-making process, potentially easing tensions.
The cabinet shake-up also underscores the challenges Ruto faces in balancing economic reforms with public sentiment. His administration must now navigate the delicate task of appointing new ministers who can address corruption, manage public resources effectively, and restore public trust.
Kenya’s political landscape remains volatile as citizens and political analysts alike await the president’s next steps. The effectiveness of the new cabinet in addressing key issues such as corruption and economic stability will be crucial in determining whether Ruto can regain the confidence of the Kenyan people.
President Ruto has been under significant pressure from both domestic and international fronts. The IMF has been urging Kenya to implement strict fiscal policies to manage its debt levels, while the Kenyan population has been increasingly vocal about the high cost of living and economic hardships. This tension has been a significant factor in the recent protests, which have seen violent clashes between demonstrators and police forces.
Source: ReutersÂ
