As much as this is a rare occurrence and as much as this is a move that might tone down the rage of the country’s Gen Zs who had threatened more dire action, this is not the first time in Kenya’s history that a sitting President has disbanded his entire Cabinet.
This is not a dream…it actually happened. For the first time since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, on Thursday, July 11 dissolved his entire Cabinet.
Also, for the first time in Kenya’s history, the Head of State listened to demands fronted by the young people of Kenya regarding a total dissolution of his Cabinet over incompetence, with the exception of Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) Musalia Mudavadi, also the Foreign Affairs CS…all this in a speech that lasted just 12 minutes!
“I will immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations, with the aim of setting up a broad-based government that will assist me in accelerating and expediting the necessary, urgent and irreversible, implementation of radical programmes to deal with the burden of debt, raising domestic resources, expanding job opportunities, eliminate wastage and unnecessary duplication of a multiplicity of government agencies and slay the dragon of corruption consequently making the government lean, inexpensive, effective and efficient,” stated President Ruto during his address at State House, without providing any timelines.
As much as this is a rare occurrence and as much as this is a move that might tone down the rage of the country’s Gen Zs who had threatened more dire action, this is not the first time in Kenya’s history that a sitting President has disbanded his entire Cabinet.
You’d have to go back to 2005 when the late former President Mwai Kibaki sacked his entire Cabinet, though this came days after a national referendum.
Wait, A National Referendum?
In the 2005 referendum, over 3.5 million Kenyans rejected the draft constitution that Kibaki had strongly supported. On November 23, he took action, and just like Ruto, Kibaki spared Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
The “Yes” and “No” referendum had split Kibaki’s administration into two, with seven members of his Cabinet, led by Roads, Public Works and Housing Minister Raila Odinga, spearheading the “No” campaigns.
At some point, the referendum campaigns, which had assumed the symbols Banana (Yes) and Orange (No), were so vicious that nine people died over the period. However, when the results came on D-Day (November 21), the Orange team prevailed, garnering 58.12% (3,579,241) of the total votes cast. President Kibaki’s Banana had garnered 41.88% (2,578,831).
“Following the results of the referendum, it has become necessary for me, as the President of the Republic, to re-organize my Government to make it more cohesive and better able to serve the people of Kenya,” Kibaki said then.
“Accordingly, in accordance with the powers conferred upon me under the Constitution of Kenya, I have directed that the offices of all Ministers and all Assistant Ministers become vacant. Consequently, the occupants of the said offices cease to hold their respective offices with immediate effect.”
The strong opposition against the draft constitution began in 2003- two years before- when Kibaki’s administration came into power and pledged to provide a more democratic governance within his first 100 days.
This resulted in a proposed Constitution drafted by the governing National Rainbow Coalition (NARC). However, at the time, internal wrangles came into play leading to disagreements on several contentious issues within the document.
Prior to the 2002 elections, politicians who formed a coalition with the ruling party made verbal and written agreements on matters of governance and were aggrieved when some of their issues were not honoured. This resulted in deep rifts between individuals and parties.
Opposition
A section of the CSs who opposed the law argued that it provided the presidency with utmost powers, something that they sought to get rid of especially following the Daniel Moi regime.
On the other hand, supporters of the draft document dismissed the claims of supremacy in the presidency and noted that powers such as appointments would be subject to vetting and approval by parliament.
Despite a wide campaign for the draft Constitution, Kibaki failed to convince Kenyans to vote for the draft Constitution, with critics saying that the former president sought to ease the tension that succeeded the 2002 elections.
At the time, President Ruto, who was in the opposition, said that Kibaki had his work cut out for him to appeal to Kenyans.
“I don’t think the president has an option, but to begin to respect the institutions of governance that are there. The major split, confusion and quarrels over the last three years have basically been the president ignoring the institutions that are there. He needs to respect the agreements he has with his coalition partners,” Ruto told VOA in 2005.
Kipchumba Murkomen
It has been my greatest privilege and honour to serve my country as a Cabinet Secretary in charge of Roads & Transport. Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity.
Alfred Mutua
I sincerely thank His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto for the confidence he demonstrated by entrusting me with the role of Cabinet Secretary in his government.
During my tenure, I have witnessed firsthand President Ruto’s genuine commitment to the rapid transformation of our country. His vision and dedication to progress are clear and unwavering.
As a leader with considerable experience, I understand the necessity behind the President’s decision to dismiss all members of his cabinet. Such decisions, though difficult, are often imperative for the greater good.
Thank you once again, Mr. President, for the opportunity to serve you and the people of Kenya. May the Almighty continue to guide you in the challenging task of revitalizing our nation. With your leadership, the future of Kenya looks promising. Mbele iko Sawa.
Ababu Namwamba
It is a special honour, privilege and blessing to serve one’s nation, more so in Cabinet, the country’s highest policy-making organ. I thank His Excellency President William Ruto for the trust and confidence that informed my appointment to serve in the Cabinet for the second time in my public service life. God bless Kenya and grant the President grace and wisdom to navigate our country into a safe harbour.
Mithika Linturi
I’m profoundly thankful to H.E. President William Ruto for the trust and confidence he placed in me by appointing me as the CS for Agriculture & Livestock Development. Your decision to entrust me with this significant responsibility is both a privilege & a humbling experience.
Peninah Malonza
“I thank His Excellency the President William Samoei Ruto for the trust he bestowed upon me to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Wildlife, Tourism and National Heritage and later the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development.
It was a great honour to me, and I shall forever remain beholden to him and Kenyans at large for bestowing upon me the onerous duty of serving our great Nation in a most honourable responsibility.
By such an opportunity, you honoured women, Kitui County and more so Kitui South Constituency which had never produced a Cabinet Secretary since independence. You have the best of Kenya at heart. May the Lord guide and use you to fulfil His agenda for Kenya.”
President William Ruto and his former Cabinet posing for a photo after a meeting on July 4, 2024. /PCS
Eliud Owalo
“I thank H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto for granting me the opportunity to serve my Country as Cabinet Secretary. I owe him a great debt of gratitude for the same,” he stated.
Salim Mvurya
“It’s been a great experience serving the country as the Cabinet Secretary Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. I sincerely thank President William Ruto for the opportunity, I believe with the MiBEMA team we made transformative changes. President Ruto endelea kufanyia kazi wakenya (continue working for Kenyans).
Florence Bore
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve Kenyans. My gratitude and profound thanks to His Excellency the President Dr William Ruto for his mentorship and trust to serve our country as Cabinet Secretary of Labour and Social Protection. It has been a great honour to serve for God and for Country.”
Simon Chelugui
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency President Dr William Ruto for showing great trust and faith in me and entrusting me with the job and responsibility to serve at the highest decision-making body of the Republic of Kenya as the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development,” stated Chelugui.
He added, “Your Excellency, please receive my sincere gratitude and appreciation from the bottom of my heart. I also seize this moment to thank Kenyans and all stakeholders in the Co-operative (saccos, societies, housing, transport and investment) and MSME(Hustlers) sectors for the great support they gave me since I was appointed on October 27, 2022.
I assure you of my prayers and highest regards. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.”
Aisha Jumwa
“It was such an honour to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage under the leadership of President William Ruto. I am glad that I got the chance to serve the people of our great nation. Thank you Mr. President and I wish you well.”
Soipan Tuya
“Anything that paves the way for the best interest of our Nation, at this point in time, is preeminent. I most sincerely thank H.E President William Ruto for the privilege, honour and opportunity to serve my country at the helm of the Environment, Climate Change and Forestry docket, for the last 21 months. My heart is full of gratitude”
Aden Duale
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President William Ruto for entrusting me with the role of Cabinet Secretary for Defence in the first Kenya Kwanza Administration.
I am deeply honoured and will forever be indebted to him and the people of Kenya for this opportunity to serve our great nation. As the Quran says, “But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners” (Quran 8:30).”