Immediate former Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has extended his gratitude to President William Ruto for his appointment, a position he held for just under two years. Duale’s remarks come in the wake of President Ruto’s dramatic dismissal of his entire Cabinet, a decision influenced by relentless pressure from Generation Z youths demanding substantial governmental changes.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President William Ruto for entrusting me with the role of Cabinet Secretary for Defence in the first Kenya Kwanza Administration,” Duale stated. “I am deeply honoured and will forever be indebted to him and the people of Kenya for this opportunity to serve our great nation.”
President Ruto, in his announcement on Thursday, revealed that only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, now overseeing the Foreign Affairs docket, would retain their positions.
“Upon reflection, listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said, and after a holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges, I have, in line with the powers given to me by Article 152(1) and 152(5)(b) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Office of the Attorney-General Act, decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney-General from the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya except the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,” Ruto declared. “But my Deputy is not affected.”
In the interim, Principal Secretaries will manage the respective ministries until a new Cabinet is named. President Ruto has promised additional measures, hinting at further government restructuring aimed at enhancing efficiency.
This sweeping change follows weeks of intense pressure from Gen Z activists, who have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the government’s performance. The movement, initially sparked by opposition to the controversial Finance Bill 2024, quickly evolved into a broader call for a complete government overhaul, epitomized by the rallying cry, “Ruto Must Go.”
The youth-led protests saw tens of thousands of participants take to the streets, leading to violent confrontations with police forces. The clashes resulted in over 40 fatalities and more than 300 injuries, marking one of the most severe instances of police brutality in Kenya’s recent history. The tragic outcomes of these protests have elicited widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally.
President Ruto’s decision not to sign the Finance Bill into law was a direct response to the overwhelming public outcry. However, the dissatisfaction among the youth and their calls for broader systemic changes persisted, ultimately culminating in the unprecedented dismissal of the entire Cabinet.
As Kenya navigates this period of political turbulence, the focus now shifts to the new appointments and the subsequent direction of President Ruto’s administration. The Gen Z movement has undeniably left an indelible mark on the political landscape, demonstrating the profound impact of youth activism on governance and policy-making in the country.
