Kenya’s Ruto Fires Almost Entire Cabinet After Deadly Protests

Kenyan President William Ruto has dismissed nearly his entire cabinet in response to widespread anti-government protests over steep tax increases. The move aims to defuse tensions and form a “broad-based government” to address Kenya’s pressing economic challenges.

Kenyan President William Ruto announced a sweeping dismissal of almost his entire cabinet following violent anti-government protests sparked by steep tax increases. This decision comes as a response to the widespread unrest led predominantly by young Kenyans, which saw peaceful rallies escalate into deadly confrontations with police.

The East African nation experienced significant turmoil after the rallies, with protestors storming parliament and setting parts of it ablaze. The protests, driven by discontent over the government’s economic policies, marked the most serious crisis of Ruto’s presidency, prompting him to retract the controversial tax hikes.

In his address, Ruto emphasized that the cabinet dismissals were a result of careful consideration and feedback from the Kenyan populace. The shake-up excluded key figures such as Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Prominent Gen-Z activist Hanifa Adan praised the move, highlighting the power of the people in shaping government actions. Despite this, the protests have evolved into a broader critique of Ruto’s administration, with ongoing demonstrations calling for his resignation.

To further address public grievances, Ruto announced significant cuts to government spending and an increase in borrowing to maintain essential services. These measures come amid a cost of living crisis exacerbated by Kenya’s substantial foreign debt, which now stands at 70% of the nation’s GDP.

The financial instability led Moody’s, a US-based ratings agency, to downgrade Kenya’s debt rating to Caa1, signaling “very high credit risk.” This downgrade reflects the government’s reduced ability to manage taxes and debt effectively, complicating efforts to stabilize the economy.

President Ruto, who campaigned on promises to uplift the common man, acknowledged the depth of public dissatisfaction. He pledged to engage in extensive consultations across various sectors to establish a broad-based government aimed at implementing radical programs to reduce debt, create jobs, and tackle corruption.

Despite efforts to engage with protestors and the cancellation of the tax hike bill, calls for Ruto’s resignation persist. The government’s financial strategies, including increased borrowing, are expected to raise the fiscal deficit, further challenging Ruto’s administration as it navigates this period of economic and political upheaval.