Image: PCS
On July 11, 2024, President William Ruto made a surprising announcement that has sent shockwaves through Kenya's political landscape.
In a bold move, Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet, except for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, marking one of the most significant shake-ups in his administration since taking office.
Analysts have said the tax rollback means Kenya is likely to miss IMF targets, although the government does not have debts that are due. The budget deficit is projected to be 4.6% of gross domestic product in the fiscal year that started on 1 July.
The announcement came during a national address where President Ruto outlined the achievements of his administration so far.
He highlighted progress in several key areas, including food production and education reform.
According to Ruto, his government has successfully increased food production by lowering the cost of farm inputs, which has in turn reduced the cost of living.
Additionally, his administration has implemented significant changes in the education sector, particularly in resolving issues surrounding the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
Despite these accomplishments, Ruto acknowledged that the expectations of the Kenyan people remain high.
When the late President Mwai Kibaki lost the 2005 referendum to the NO camp that was led by his then Cabinet Minister Raila Odinga, he responded by firing his entire Cabinet. When he reconstituted it two weeks later, Mr Odinga and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members were left out.
He expressed a commitment to achieving even greater transformation, recognizing that the nation anticipates substantial changes under his leadership.
In his address, President Ruto emphasized that his decision to dissolve the Cabinet was driven by a need to review and enhance the efficiency of the government.
He stated that the dissolution was in line with his constitutional powers, specifically referencing Article 152(1) and Article 152(5)(b) of the Constitution, which grant him the authority to make such changes.
Additionally, Ruto cited the Office of the Attorney-General Act, which supports his decision to continuously assess the performance of Cabinet members and other officials.
The President's move reflects a broader strategy to realign his administration with the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which was central to his campaign in the 2022 General Election.
By reorganizing his Cabinet, Ruto aims to better position his government to implement this agenda and address the expectations of the Kenyan people.
The youth-led protests against planned tax rises began peacefully but turned violent. A least 39 people were killed in clashes with police last month. Some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament before Ruto abandoned the new taxes.
In a gazette notice issued on July 12, Ruto outlined the reasons for his decision in detail. He emphasized that the dismissal of the Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and the Attorney-General was part of a broader effort to improve governance and public service delivery.
The President expressed a commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the government.
The gazette notice also named Musalia Mudavadi as the acting Cabinet Secretary for all ministries.
This move ensures continuity in government operations while the President selects new officials to fill the vacant posts.
The dissolution of the Cabinet has been met with a range of reactions from the public and political analysts.
Supporters of the President argue that this move is a necessary step to address inefficiencies and enhance government performance. They believe that a new team will bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to the administration’s goals.
On the other hand, critics have questioned the timing and implications of the Cabinet shake-up.
Some argue that such drastic measures could disrupt ongoing government projects and create uncertainty among government employees and the public.
Ruto has been caught between the demands of lenders such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cut deficits and a hard-pressed population reeling from the rising cost of living. He proposed spending cuts and additional borrowing in roughly equal measure last week to fill the near $2.7bn (£2.1bn) budget deficit caused by the withdrawal of the tax rises.
Additionally, there are concerns about how quickly the President will be able to appoint new Cabinet members and the potential impact on the implementation of key policies.
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