President Ruto Dissolves Entire Cabinet With Immediate Effect

President William Ruto of Kenya has disbanded his cabinet with immediate effect in what is an attempt to pacify demonstrators who spent two weeks asking for an end to his administration.

His ambitions to boost income through tax raises have experienced hurdles even as the Kenyan Revenue Authority missed its tax projections for 2023.

“I have decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the cabinet secretaries and the Attorney General of the cabinet of Kenya, except the prime cabinet secretary and cabinet secretary for diaspora affairs. The office of the vice president is not affected in any way,” Ruto said in a televised address on Thursday.

In an effort to reduce the tensions that have been plaguing the nation for a month, the president contacted opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday.

When protestors overran parliament on June 25, the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition finally backed down and retracted the contentious 2024 Finance Bill, which is what sparked the current situation.

Protests against higher levies on bread, vehicles, sanitary towels, and diapers among other things quickly turned into demands for Ruto’s resignation as Kenyans accused his government of being corrupt, engaging in extrajudicial executions, kidnappings, and incompetence.

Ruto declared on Thursday, July 11, that all cabinets had been dissolved, with the exception of the deputy president, the office of foreign affairs, and the cabinet secretary.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli