President Ruto Dissolves Entire Cabinet After Anti-Government Protests

President William Ruto has dismissed all Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General with the exception of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

This decision, made under the constitutional powers vested in his office, reflects the President's recognition of the need for a comprehensive reassessment of his Cabinet's performance and the challenges facing his administration. During a televised address today, President Ruto announced that government operations would continue under the leadership of Principal Secretaries and other relevant officials until a new Cabinet is formed. He expressed his intention to involve a broader range of political stakeholders in rebuilding his administration. This suggests a potential shift towards a more inclusive political arrangement that may incorporate members of the opposition including the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Raila Odinga.

This bold move by President Ruto demonstrates his commitment to addressing the concerns of the Kenyan people and reshaping his administration to better serve the nation's needs. The President is considering the establishment of a "government of national unity" by including opposition figures in his administration, a strategy aimed at resolving the current political crisis that has been fueled by protesting youth demanding significant changes within the government.

Kenya has previous experience with such unity governments with a notable example having occurred when the late President Mwai Kibaki, following his loss in the 2005 referendum, dismissed his entire cabinet. Two weeks later, he reconstituted the cabinet, notably excluding Raila Odinga and members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In his address to the nation at that time, President Kibaki emphasized the need for a more cohesive government capable of better serving the Kenyan people. He announced the immediate vacancy of all ministerial and assistant ministerial positions and outlined his plans for extensive discussions with various sectors and political groups.

Several former Cabinet Secretaries have taken to social media to express their gratitude to President Ruto for the opportunity to serve the nation. Soipan Tuya, who held the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry portfolio, acknowledged her groundbreaking role as the first woman Cabinet Secretary from the Maa community. During her 21-month tenure, Tuya championed environmental conservation and climate resilience, pledging to leverage her experience to create opportunities for women and girls in her community. Aisha Jumwa, who oversaw the Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage docket, conveys her honour in serving under President Ruto's leadership.

Similarly, former Labour CS Florence Bore has expressed profound gratitude for the chance to serve the Kenyan people, acknowledging President Ruto's mentorship and trust. Simon Chelugui, who headed the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, has thanked President Ruto for his faith and trust. Chelugui's role was crucial in supporting cooperative societies, housing, transport, and investment sectors. Former Defence CS Aden Duale has praised President Ruto for granting him the historic opportunity to serve as the first Defence CS under the Kenya Kwanza regime.