Ruto Leads Cabinet Amid Pressure to Oust Underperforming CSs

President William Ruto chairs a Cabinet meeting 4th July 2024

Respond to Public Pressure

President William Ruto took charge of a Cabinet session at State House Nairobi, Thursday morning, amid mounting pressure to streamline the National Executive for enhanced service delivery.

Calls for Cabinet Downsizing

Various sectors urged Ruto to reduce the size of his Cabinet to redirect funds to essential government functions.

Youth-Led Protests Over Finance Bill 2024

Kenyan youth mobilized against the Finance Bill 2024, citing harsh tax measures, sparking nationwide protests from June 18 onwards.

Government Response: KDF Deployment

The Ministry of Defence deployed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers to support police in quelling unrest that resulted in casualties and injuries across the country.

Ruto’s Decision on Finance Bill

Under pressure, Ruto declined to approve the contentious Finance Bill 2024, acknowledging the dissatisfaction and promising dialogue with protesting youth.

Senate’s Advice to Ruto

In a bipartisan effort, senators deliberated on the protests, advising Ruto to reassess his leadership approach and consider downsizing the Executive.

Call for Fiscal Prudence

Senators, including Aaron Cheruiyot and Enock Wambua, urged Ruto to reduce Cabinet Secretaries, merge redundant departments, and cut unnecessary expenditures.

Cheruiyot’s Proposal

Senator Cheruiyot advocated reducing the number of Cabinet Secretaries to 14 and criticized independent bodies for alleged governance failures.

EACC Criticism

Cheruiyot called for disbanding the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), citing its perceived ineffectiveness in combating corruption.

Conclusion

Ruto’s Cabinet meeting underscores his administration’s response to public demands, aiming to streamline governance amidst economic challenges and public discontent.