Senate piles more pressure on Ruto to overhaul Cabinet amid national discontent

Members of the Senate have called on President William Ruto to undertake a sweeping overhaul of his government, citing widespread dissatisfaction with its current state.

Speaking during a Senate session on Wednesday, the Senators argued that the current state of the nation is a result of 'Ruto’s failed cabinet.'

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale urged Ruto to dissolve and reconstitute his cabinet, criticising certain advisors and offices as unconstitutional and non-beneficial to governance.

He noted offices such as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions and the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary which is held by Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi should be done away with as they are not constitutional.

“Mr President, dissolve your cabinet and reconstitute it. Mr President, disband offices outside the Constitution, including Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS),  Prime Cabinet Secretary, and the Offices of the First Lady," Khalwale said.

The senator further pressed for restructuring within the security apparatus, calling for the dismissal of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome amid recent unrest linked to anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.

“Disband some advisors, because if the advisors are useful, then what David Ndii is doing is not advising, it is misadvising. The president should quickly restructure the security organs by firing some people, the IG included,” Khalwale said.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua echoed these sentiments, advocating for a reduction in the number of cabinet secretaries from 21 to 14, citing unsustainable government expenditure.

“As a show of listening to the people's concerns, reduce the number of cabinet secretaries to 14. Why do we need 21 Cabinet Secretaries for a population of less than 60 million, especially with an economy that cannot support such expenditure?” Wambua posed.

The senators also voiced strong criticism against the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), demanding its dissolution for allegedly failing to effectively combat corruption among the political elite.

“The institution that has been tasked with fighting corruption in this country is itself the biggest den of corruption. The EACC is either unwilling or unable to fight corruption in this country, they will not help us in this country,” Wambua added.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei added to the critique, questioning the Commission’s efficacy in holding accountable state officers involved in corruption scandals.

“If today's EACC was serious, three-quarters of governors would be in jail by now. Because even some of the people serving as the State Officers, they should be in jail but EACC has failed us,” he said.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi who also spoke on the floor of the senate, called for a spiritual cleansing of the Parliament after anti-Finance Bill protesters breached parliament and torched part of it in unprecedented rage.

Osotsi urged his fellow senators to pray so that the Parliament can continue as a respected institution and restore its sanctity and commitment to the people.

“This Parliament requires to be cleansed because the blood of innocent Kenyans is within the precincts. I hope those of us who believe in prayers will hold prayers so that we continue as a sacred and respected institution,” he said.

“What happened to Parliament? Parliament was a holy institution that was always on the side of the people,” Osotsi added.

The Senate's calls for government reform come in the wake of nationwide protests and parliamentary unrest triggered by the controversial Finance Bill 2024, ultimately withdrawn by President Ruto after public outcry and deadly demonstrations countrywide.

On June 25, several people were shot outside Parliament as police clashed with protesters who stormed the complex after lawmakers passed the highly controversial Bill.

Police fired live ammunition after tear gas and rubber bullets failed to disperse the thousands who had gathered to protest the tax hikes.

Fires broke out in the parliament buildings after protesters made it past police barricades. At least two vehicles in the area were set on fire.