Kenyan President William Ruto Dismisses Entire Cabinet Following Weeks of Protests

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a surprising move, Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Thursday the dismissal of his entire cabinet, with the exception of the Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary. The decision comes after weeks of protests that have rocked the nation, demanding accountability and the resignation of the President.

The protests began in late June when a controversial finance bill, which included tax hikes, was passed by parliament. The bill sparked outrage among Kenyans, particularly the youth, who took to the streets to express their frustration with the government’s handling of the economy and governance issues.

President Ruto, who took office in 2022, has been facing mounting pressure to address the concerns of the protesters. In a televised address from State House Nairobi, the President stated that he made the decision to dismiss his cabinet “upon reflection, listening to Kenyans, and after a holistic appraisal of my cabinet and its achievements and challenges.”

The dismissal of the cabinet has been met with mixed reactions. Some view it as a positive step towards addressing the grievances of the protesters, while others remain skeptical about the President’s intentions.

“The President of Kenya has dissolved the cabinet!!!” tweeted prominent Gen-Z protester Hanifa Adan, expressing her excitement over the announcement.

In his address, President Ruto also announced his intention to form a new government that will be “lean and efficient.” He promised to consult “across different sectors and political formations and other Kenyans, both in public and private.”

The dismissal of the cabinet does not affect the positions of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who will continue to serve in their respective roles.

This is not the first time that a Kenyan President has dismissed his entire cabinet. In 2005, then-President Mwai Kibaki also dissolved his cabinet following a failed referendum on a new constitution.

As Kenya navigates this period of political uncertainty, the nation watches closely to see what the future holds for its leadership and the direction the country will take in addressing the concerns of its citizens.