The president’s decision comes after weeks of protests that forced him to abandon proposed tax increases.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced the dismissal of almost his entire cabinet and consultations to form a “broad-based government” following widespread anti-government protests.
Ruto said his decision would apply to all ministers, including the attorney general, but excluded Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi.
“I will immediately begin wide-ranging consultations between different sectors and political formations and other Kenyans, both in the public and private sectors, with the aim of establishing a broad-based government,” Ruto said in a televised address to the nation on Thursday, adding that he would announce additional measures later.
The East African nation was left reeling after peaceful demonstrations last month to protest planned steep tax hikes turned into deadly violence, with police firing on crowds that stormed Kenya’s Parliament, leaving it partially ablaze.
Led largely by young people, the protests have plunged Ruto’s administration into the most serious crisis of his presidency, forcing him to abandon tax increases and scramble to contain the damage.
Al Jazeera’s Malcolm Webb, reporting from Nairobi, said young people’s dissatisfaction with Ruto began before the controversial tax increases were proposed.
“Ruto was elected two years ago,” Webb said, with “a promise to enfranchise Kenya’s working poor… he won the election by a whisker and with a low turnout.”
Since then, economic conditions in Kenya have worsened, leading to growing criticism, especially on social media, of the government, which has also been accused of “blatant displays of wealth…alleged incompetence” and rocked by scandals, Webb said.
Protests against tax increases began in June and expanded into a wider campaign against Ruto and his government, with some demonstrations turning into violence that left dozens dead.
Last week, the Kenyan leader announced drastic cuts to government spending in response to growing outrage over travel budgets and cabinet reshuffles, as ordinary citizens struggled to cope with the cost of living crisis.
In addition to scrapping the annual finance law, including tax increases, Ruto has also sought to engage some protesters, organizing an event on social media platform X with young Kenyans last week.
But this failed to appease some protesters, who continued to call for his resignation, using the hashtag #RutoMustGo and organizing smaller rallies in Kenyan cities.
Kenya’s public debt amounts to 10 billion shillings ($78 billion), around 70% of its gross domestic product (GDP).
The government’s decision to borrow more will result in the fiscal deficit increasing from 3.3% to 4.6%, according to Ruto.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
