Kenya's Ruto Reshuffles Cabinet Amidst Fallout from Mass Tax Protests.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced a major cabinet reshuffle in July 2024, replacing several ministers in a direct bid to address widespread public anger and regain trust following weeks of mass protests over proposed tax hikes.
These significant changes came after a period of unprecedented demonstrations, largely led by "Gen Z" youth, which turned violent, resulting in numerous deaths and drawing considerable global attention. Among the key changes in the July 2024 reshuffle, President Ruto re-appointed **Kithure Kindiki** as Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary, while **John Mbadi Ng'ongo** later became the Cabinet Secretary for The National Treasury and Economic Planning. The specific claim that these roles were replaced as "key figures blamed for fueling unrest" might require more nuanced phrasing depending on the official narrative surrounding their appointments post-protests.
In the aftermath of the protests and the cabinet overhaul, President Ruto publicly pledged a "government that listens" and committed to halting further controversial policies that had ignited the public's fury. While the reshuffle was presented as a response to public demands, critics quickly argued that the changes were largely cosmetic and called for more fundamental democratic and economic reforms.
The "Gen Z" protests, which notably united young Kenyans across diverse class and tribal lines, are widely hailed as a pivotal political awakening in the nation's history. Analysts view the cabinet shake-up as President Ruto’s strategic attempt to reconnect with a deeply disillusioned and newly mobilized generation, whose activism has reshaped Kenya's political landscape.
Adedayo Obadina
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