The dissolution of the Cabinet is the latest in a series of actions the Kenyan Head of State has been forced to take following weeks of protests, both on social media and on the streets, led by Gen Z.
At the onset, Ruto withdrew the Controversial Finance Bill 2024 and introduced new austerity measures aimed at reducing government expenditure. He removed operational budgets for the Offices of the Spouses of the President, Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Days later, Ruto's actions have come under heavy scrutiny across the political landscape with young people setting the internet ablaze and continuing their barrage against the ruling Kenya Kwanza regime.
Taking to X Spaces and other forums, some netizens termed the dissolution of the Cabinet as an act of self-preservation by the President, whom they insist bears the huge responsibility for the 'failures' of his government.
They also faulted the President for sparing Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, arguing that the office is unconstitutional. Mudavadi doubles as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
"He might have fired his entire Cabinet but he still maintains the unconstitutional position of the office of the Prime CS and this is a blatant attempt at self-preservation. I do not think of this as a move of goodwill because I wouldn't sit here and applaud a fish for swimming," activist Kasmuel McOure said.
An X user identified as Veeana said, 'It is important that even as we slash off the weeds, we uproot deep from the roots!'
Human rights activist and Senator Okiya Omtatah, also noted that 'Dissolving Cabinet is not the solution', insisting that a 'fish begins rotting from the head'.
"Everything around him (Ruto) has collapsed. So you cannot say that his juniors should bear the burden. The ball stops with him and the call that President Ruto must go is a call that must be applied and as they say a fish begins rotting from the head."
However, a section of Kenyans opined that the dissolution of the Cabinet was a good starting point to address issues raised during the recent protests. They commended the President for humbling himself and listening to the cries of Kenyans demanding accountability from the government amid the rising cost of living.
"A good start by Ruto as he has sacked all the Cabinet secretaries. What a time to be alive in Kenya. We must be heard," opined Amos Mwango.
Some of the fired Cabinet Secretaries had lost public confidence due to poor performance and wastage of public resources, prompting demands for their removal from office.
The protesters had earlier warned President Ruto against a Cabinet reshuffle, which has in the recent past been seen as less effective in addressing incompetence among state officers.
Yesterday, he said he had resolved to dissolve his Cabinet "upon reflection, listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said and after a holistic appraisal of the performance of the cabinet and its achievements and challenges."
Principal Secretaries tasked
President Ruto directed Principal Secretaries to supervise ministries as he worked on forming a broad-based government to help him achieve "urgent and irreversible' government programs.
"I will immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors, political formations, and other Kenyans, both in public and private, with the aim of setting up a broad-based government that will assist me in accelerating and expediting the necessary, urgent, and irreversible implementation of the program we have," he added.
According to Ruto, his administration aims to put in place radical measures and programs to deal with the burden of debt, explore raising domestic resources and revenues, expand job opportunities, and eliminate waste and unnecessary duplication across multiple government agencies.
"This will make the government of Kenya lean, inexpensive, effective, and efficient," he stated.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/ruto-s-firing-of-the-cabinet-sparks-intense-controversial-debates
