Ruto hints at major cabinet changes as peace returns

Major changes in the cabinet could be in the offing in the coming days after President William Ruto hinted at plans to chart a new future following the deadly wave of protests witnessed in the country in the last two weeks.

 President Ruto said yesterday that the government must now focus on charting a new future for the country, pointing out that significant changes must be made to align with that new future.

“The President said the government must now focus on charting a new future for the country, pointing out that significant changes must be made to align with that new future,” said a bulletin from State House.

The President at the same time said the National Treasury is re-organising the budget in the wake of his refusal to assent to the Finance Bill. This, the president said, will include cutting down of budgets to “balance between what to be implemented and what can wait,” and ensuring that key national programmes are not affected.

“Our plan is good and solid, and in the fullness of time, we shall be vindicated,” the bulletin quoted the president.

Yesterday’s warning about looming shake-up in government came in the wake of calls for the president to reshuffle his cabinet and also effect changes to other arms of government.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by President Ruto at State House, was briefed on the security situation in the country following riots.

Senators call

Senators on Wednesday charged that changes must be made in the cabinet accusing some of the Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) of underperforming.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also hinted at the looming changes in government, saying he was ready to resign if he had failed the President in delivering his mandate. In an interview with one of the local TV stations, Duale said he supports the calls to have a cabinet reshuffle to weed out individuals who have failed to perform their duties.

 “If the President feels I have let him down as Minister for Defence, I want him to do the right thing. Start with me and all the rest who have let him down in the interest of all the people of Kenya and tell us to step aside to have a new team. I am ready, look at me, quote me,” Duale stated.

“The people of Kenya through former President Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto have given me a chance to serve but if I am part of the problem that is bedeviling the country and our state affairs, let him (Ruto) start with me,” he affirmed.

Public Service CS Moses Kuria has also stated his position saying he is ready to face consequences if the current Cabinet is dissolved. “If the jury says that Moses Kuria has to go home, I will be the first to say yes we go home, but it is also a high time that we also deliver,” he said.

Sweeping reforms

On Wednesday, Senators led by Kakamega’s Boni Khalwale called on President Ruto to overhaul the Cabinet. The senators called on the Head of state to take drastic measures, including dissolving his Cabinet, sacking Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, and instituting sweeping reforms across government.

Koome has been blamed for the uncoordinated way the police handled the protests, especially the day youths stormed parliament buildings.

Duale, who has served in various capacities including Majority Leader and now as Defence CS, told Ruto to undertake a thorough introspection of his administration, suggesting that it is time to shed any “baggage” that might impede national development.

 Highlighting the importance of listening to the younger generation and moving away from divisive tribal politics, Duale underscored the need for the president to strategize following the concerns raised by the Gen z’s who have held countrywide protests over the finance bill and the skyrocketing cost of living.

 “The President must reset. We have to listen to the vital voices and they are categorically saying we are tribeless,” Duale stated.

At yesterday meeting, the Cabinet also took issue with officers who may have acted outside the confines of the law, during the skirmishes and warned that they will be dealt with in accordance with legal procedure and by the institutions mandated to do so.

The meeting was informed that though the riots started as a protest against the tax measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2024, they were infiltrated, hijacked and taken over by criminal and opportunistic political forces.

The two groups have in the past two weeks reigned terror on the people of Kenya in the cities, towns and other urban areas, occasioning loss of life, destruction of national and county governments’ buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, homes and businesses.

“Due to the threat posed to Parliament, the Supreme Court and other infrastructure, the Cabinet was informed that all national security agencies, including the military, were deployed to forestall the breakdown of law and order,” read a dispatch from the Cabinet.

The Cabinet was also informed that the security agencies have stabilised the situation and are continuing to monitor the developments. The members commended security officers, pointing out that they on the whole acted professionally in very difficult circumstances. The Cabinet also noted that security agencies did a good job of protecting the country from anarchists.

The project will also include acquisition of new locomotives and improvement of non- motorised transport infrastructure, and feeder roads along the Nairobi Commuter Rail network.

The Cabinet also approved among other bills, the Kenya Secondary Education Equity and Quality Improvement Programme Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Others are co-Hosting of the Second Edition of the African Continental Free Trade Area Youth Symposium on September 5-7, 2024, Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill 2024,  Ratification of Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Kenya and various countries, including Somalia, Morocco, Algeria, Swaziland,