- President Ruto has announced a major reshuffles of his cabinet, retaining only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
- The reshuffle is driven by public pressure over perceived arrogance, corruption, and poor performance of some cabinet secretaries.
- Key changes include the dissolution of 47 state corporations, a 50% reduction in advisors, and the abolition of funding for the offices of the First Lady and Deputy President’s spouse.
- The retention of Gachagua and Mudavadi has raised eyebrows, suggesting the President is seeking to maintain a delicate balance within his administration.
In a bold move to address public discontent, Kenyan President William Ruto has announced a major overhaul of his cabinet, retaining only his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Reasons for the Cabinet Reshuffle
President Ruto’s decision comes amidst widespread protests and public pressure for him to address the country’s economic challenges and perceived mismanagement. The youth-led demonstrations have shut down major towns and cities, forcing the President to take drastic action.
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Some of the key factors that led to the cabinet reshuffle include:
Perceived Arrogance and Corruption
Several cabinet secretaries have been accused of exhibiting arrogance and engaging in corruption, drawing the wrath of Kenyans. This includes the likes of Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Susan Nakhumicha (Health), and Ezekiel Machogu (Education), who have faced intense public criticism.
Overspending and Mismanagement
The President has also been under pressure to rein in government expenditure, with concerns raised over the number of advisors and the existence of offices like that of the First Lady and Deputy President’s spouse. This has contributed to the decision to dismantle the cabinet.
Lack of Performance
President Ruto has admitted that his cabinet “could have performed better” and has decided to undertake a “soul-searching” exercise to chart a new path forward. The move to reshuffle the cabinet is seen as an attempt to inject fresh blood and improve service delivery.
Key Changes in the Cabinet
Dissolution of 47 State Corporations
As part of the austerity measures, President Ruto has announced the dissolution of 47 state corporations with overlapping and duplicative functions. This is expected to result in significant cost savings for the government.
Reduction of Advisors by 50%
The number of advisors in the government will be reduced by 50%, a move aimed at lowering the wage bill and payroll-related costs.
Suspension of Chief Administrative Secretaries
The President has also suspended the filling of 50 positions of Chief Administrative Secretaries, a decision that will impact several politicians who had been appointed to these roles.
Abolition of Funding for First Lady and Deputy President’s Spouse Offices
In a bid to cut down on government expenditure, the President has abolished the budgetary allocation to the offices of the First Lady, the Spouse of the Deputy President, and the Spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Retention of Gachagua and Mudavadi
Despite the sweeping changes, President Ruto has retained his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in their respective positions.
This decision has raised eyebrows, as the rift between Ruto and Gachagua has been widely reported, with the latter’s absence from recent state functions noted. The continued presence of Mudavadi, whose office has been a subject of criticism, also suggests that the President is seeking to maintain a delicate balance within his administration.
President Ruto’s decision to overhaul his cabinet, while retaining Gachagua and Mudavadi, is a bold move aimed at addressing the public’s concerns and restoring confidence in his government. The austerity measures and the dissolution of state corporations are expected to result in significant cost savings, but the long-term impact on governance and service delivery remains to be seen.
FAQs
Q: Why did President Ruto decide to reshuffle his cabinet?
A: President Ruto’s decision to reshuffle his cabinet was primarily driven by public pressure and discontent over perceived arrogance, corruption, and poor performance of some cabinet secretaries. The move is seen as an attempt to address the country’s economic challenges and restore public confidence in the government.
Q: Who are the key casualties of the cabinet reshuffle?
A: Several cabinet secretaries, including Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Susan Nakhumicha (Health), and Ezekiel Machogu (Education), have been removed from their positions due to public criticism and perceived mismanagement. The President has also suspended the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries, impacting several politicians who had been named to these roles.
Q: Why has President Ruto retained Rigathi Gachagua and Musalia Mudavadi?
A: The retention of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has raised eyebrows, as there have been reports of a rift between Ruto and Gachagua. The continued presence of Mudavadi, whose office has been criticized, suggests that the President is seeking to maintain a delicate balance within his administration.
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