Kenyan President Ruto Dismisses Cabinet Amid Crisis
Kenyan President William Ruto has announced the dismissal of nearly his entire cabinet, initiating consultations to form a “broad-based government” in response to the fallout from recent deadly protests.
Last month, peaceful rallies against steep tax increases turned violent, with police clashing with protesters who stormed parliament, setting part of it ablaze. These protests, organized online and led by young Kenyans, have plunged Ruto’s administration into its most severe crisis, forcing him to withdraw the controversial finance bill.
In a bid to defuse tensions, Ruto’s decision to dismiss his ministers, including the attorney-general, was effective immediately, sparing only Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Ruto stated that this decision came after reflecting on the people’s demands and evaluating his cabinet’s performance.
Gen-Z protester Hanifa Adan celebrated the move on social media, emphasizing the power of the people. The protests, which have claimed 39 lives, have morphed into a broader campaign against Ruto’s government, with continued unrest and calls for his resignation.
While some analysts see the cabinet dismissals as a potential fresh start, they warn of ongoing challenges. Gabrielle Lynch, a professor of comparative politics, noted the difficulty of forming a new cabinet that addresses diverse interests while calming public anger. Declan Galvin of Exigent Risk Advisory suggested that the situation offers Ruto a chance to reset his administration.
Last week, Ruto announced significant cuts to government spending amid public outrage over lavish expenditures, including a $70,000 curtain bill for the deputy president’s office. Despite these measures, Kenya’s economic troubles persist, with the fiscal deficit projected to rise and foreign debt mounting to around 70% of GDP.
The crisis has led Moody’s to downgrade Kenya’s debt rating further into junk territory, highlighting Ruto’s diminished capacity to raise taxes and reduce debt.
In response, Ruto has pledged to engage in extensive consultations to establish a broad-based government aimed at addressing debt, creating jobs, eliminating waste, and combating corruption. He has attempted to connect with young protesters through social media but has yet to quell calls for his resignation, with the hashtag #RutoMustGo and smaller rallies continuing across Kenyan cities.
