Kenyan President William Ruto has dismissed all his ministers and the attorney-general with immediate effect following recent deadly protests that led to the withdrawal of an unpopular tax bill. Ruto stated that the decision was made after “reflection, listening to Kenyans, and a holistic appraisal of my cabinet.”
The president announced plans to consult widely to form a broad-based government. The dissolution does not affect the deputy president, who cannot legally be dismissed, or the prime cabinet secretary, who also serves as the foreign affairs minister. Ruto has not provided a timeline for naming a new government.
In the interim, Ruto plans to consult “across different sectors and political formations and other Kenyans, both in public and private.” This move is highly unusual and comes less than two years into his term. The last complete cabinet dissolution occurred in 2005 under President Mwai Kibaki after a failed constitutional referendum.
Ruto has faced mounting pressure from Kenyans who continue to hold anti-government protests, demanding greater accountability and some calling for his resignation.
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