President William Ruto announced the dissolution of his Cabinet on Thursday, retaining only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The President’s decision, which aims to quell the Gen Z-led unrest sweeping the country, has been met with widespread approval from various political leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Senator Sifuna, in a post on X, praised the President’s decisive action, calling it a necessary step to propel Kenya forward. “Sacking all the Cabinet Secretaries is a solid start,” Sifuna stated, reflecting the sentiments of many who have been calling for significant government reforms.
President Ruto, during his announcement, emphasized that the decision was made after thorough reflection and appraisal of his Cabinet’s performance. “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, adding, “but my Deputy is not affected.”
The President’s announcement came after weeks of persistent criticism from Gen Z, who have been at the forefront of protests demanding comprehensive government reform. What initially began as opposition to the controversial Finance Bill 2024 quickly escalated into calls for a complete overhaul of the government, with many youth activists chanting “Ruto Must Go.”
The protests, which saw tens of thousands of youths take to the streets, resulted in violent clashes with police forces, leading to tragic outcomes. More than 40 protesters were killed, and over 300 others were injured in what has been described as the worst police brutality seen in Kenya. The violent response from law enforcement has drawn widespread condemnation both locally and internationally.
In light of the ongoing unrest, President Ruto has announced a six-day multi-sectoral convention set to begin on Monday. This forum aims to bring together religious institutions, civil society, professional organizations, political parties, and other stakeholders to discuss the way forward.
However, this initiative has sparked further outrage from the Gen Z youth, who accuse “old men” of hijacking their movement for change to benefit themselves. They have particularly singled out Azimio leader Raila Odinga, who has historically signed deals with various governments since the regimes of the late President Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and the former government of Uhuru Kenyatta.
Azimio spokesperson Prof. Makau Mutua expressed support for President Ruto’s decision, describing it as being in the best interest of the country. “The deed is done. Thanks, President William Ruto,” he posted on X, signaling a rare moment of consensus across political divides.
As the country braces for the upcoming convention, the spotlight remains on President Ruto’s administration and its ability to address the grievances of the Gen Z activists. The outcome of this multi-sectoral dialogue will be crucial in determining whether the recent Cabinet overhaul will be enough to quell the unrest and pave the way for a more inclusive and responsive government.
