NAIROBI, July 11 – Kenyan President William Ruto has dismissed his entire cabinet, excluding the foreign minister, in response to widespread anti-government protests over proposed tax hikes. The youth-led demonstrations, which compelled Ruto to abandon the tax increases, mark the most significant crisis of his two-year presidency.
The protests resulted in at least 39 deaths due to clashes with police, and some demonstrators briefly stormed the parliament last month. In a televised address, Ruto also announced the dismissal of the attorney general, though the deputy president’s office remains unaffected.
Ruto assured the nation of continued government operations under the guidance of principal secretaries and other officials while he engages in extensive consultations across various sectors and political formations to establish a broad-based government.
Ruto’s move follows his proposal last week to address a $2.7 billion budget deficit through a combination of spending cuts and additional borrowing, prompted by the withdrawal of the controversial tax hikes. Additional measures and steps are expected to be announced in due course.
