President William Ruto is currently leading a Cabinet session at State House following weeks of widespread anti-government demonstrations gripping the nation.
The Cabinet gathering comes amid swirling reports of an impending shake-up that could see several Cabinet Secretaries reshuffled or replaced entirely. An anonymous Cabinet Secretary, speaking to the Daily Nation, described the atmosphere as tense, with officials eager to learn their fate before proceeding with ministry activities.
The meeting follows sustained protests from youth expressing discontent with Ruto’s administration. Protesters have called for Ruto’s resignation, citing dissatisfaction with his handling of national issues.
One of the demands put forth by the demonstrators is for the president to take decisive action against government officials implicated in corruption scandals or deemed to have underperformed over the past two years.
Despite mounting pressure, some analysts suggest that these protests might present an opportunity for the president to strategically reorganize his Cabinet, potentially turning the situation into a positive development for his administration.
“The President is the biggest beneficiary of the anti-government protests because he now has an opportunity to reshuffle the Cabinet and reduce salaries,” said Charles Owino, Chairperson of the Council of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication.
Defence CS Aden Duale also maintained his stance that he sought the president to do the right thing to restore confidence in his administration.
“If the president feels I have let him down as a Minister of Defence, I want him to do the right thing, not only start with me and all the rest who have let him down, in the interest of Kenyans and tell us to step aside. I am ready,” Duale said during JKLive interview on Wednesday.
This was echoed during a Senate session on Wednesday titled the State of the Nation where senators called for an overhaul of Ruto’s cabinet. Led by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, the senators called for a complete restructure to reduce the public wage bill.
“Mr President, dissolve and reconstitute the Cabinet. Disband offices like the Prime Cabinet Secretary that are not constitutionally mandated in Kenya,” Khalwale remarked.
During a roundtable discussion with the media, President Ruto reaffirmed that he could not fire a CS for facing graft charges until they are convicted in court.
“On fake fertiliser, the Minister Mithika Linturi was taken through a process in Parliament… I am a fair person and I am a believer in the rule of law. Even though I may not like you, I must respect that there is due process. the moment we will have a minister who is charged in court meaning that there’s evidence that he participated in crime believe you me, I will take the action that is necessary. We must give someone the benefit of doubt until it is proven,” Ruto said.
Kenyans now wait to see the direction that Ruto will take to restore confidence in his government and resolve the economic woes plaguing the country.
