Mudavadi survives as Ruto sacks all his cabinet secretaries

President William Ruto on Thursday fired all his cabinet secretaries except Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as Foreign Affairs CS.

While addressing the nation from State House, Nairobi, he added that his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, is not affected by the changes as he is protected by the Constitution. The DP can only be impeached according to the 2010 Promulgated Constitution.

“President Ruto: I have today, in line with the powers given to me, decided to dismiss all the Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General, except for the Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS Foreign Affairs," he said.

"And of course, the office of the Deputy President is not affected in any way."

The Head of State said he will immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors, political formations, and other Kenyans, both public and private, to set up a broad base of government.

“The broad government that will assist me in accelerating and expediting the necessary urgent and irreversible implementation of the programme we have, including other radical measures to deal with the burden of debt to explore raising domestic resources, and revenues, expanding job opportunities, and eliminating wastage under necessary duplication,” Ruto added.

Principal secretaries and other relevant officials will continue coordinating the government, with Ruto stating that operations will continue uninterrupted.

"I will be announcing additional measures in due course," he added.

President Ruro had nominated 22 Cabinet Secretaries on September 27, 2022, who were later vetted and approved by the National Assembly the following month.

The Cabinet Secretaries were as follows:

Interior and National Administration - Prof Kithure Kindiki

President William Ruto walks towards the podium at State House, Nairobi, on July 11, 2024, when he fired his entire cabinet. (Photo: PCS)

National Treasury and Planning - Prof Njuguna Ndung'u

Public Service and Gender - Aisha Jumwa Katana

Defence - Aden Duale

Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation - Alice Wahome

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs - Alfred Mutua

Trade, Investments, and Industry - Moses Kuria

East African Community - Rebecca Miano

Roads, Transport and Public Works - Kipchumba Murkomen

Environment and Forestry - Roselinda Tuya

Lands, Housing and Urban Development - Zacharia Mwangi Njeru

Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage - Penina Malonza

Agriculture and Livestock - Mithika Linturi

Health - Susan Wafula

Information, Communications and Digital Economy - Eliud Owalo

Education- Ezekiel Machogu

Energy and Petroleum - Davis Chirchir

Youth Affairs, Sports and The Arts - Ababu Nawamba

Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development: Simon Chelugui

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs - Salim Mvurya

Labour and Social Protection - Florence Bore

Attorney General - Justin Muturi

President Ruto has walked in the similar shoes of the late President Mwai Kibaki, who, on November 23, 2005, dismissed his entire cabinet in the middle of his administration's term. This was a day after Kenyans had rejected a constitution he had backed.

The storm 

During a media roundtable debate on Sunday, June 30, he said that he would assess the performance of his cabinet after embarking on a soul-searching process.

Ruto has been under pressure from the Gen Z youth, who demanded cabinet reshuffles during the nationwide anti-government protests.

The Senate also piled pressure on the Head of State to disband his cabinet and dismiss corrupt officials from his administration.

Senators aligned with the Kenya Kwanza administration last week led the charge, criticising the government for its apparent disregard for civilian hardships. 

Led by Kakamega legislator Boni Khalwale, they called for the disbandment of unnecessary positions, including those of the First Lady, the Deputy President's spouse, and the Chief Cabinet Secretary, arguing these roles are unconstitutional.

"Mr President, dissolve and reconstitute the Cabinet. Disband offices like the Prime Cabinet Secretary that are not constitutionally mandated in Kenya," Khalwale said.

President William Ruto receives a brief on the roll out of Universal Health Coverage from the Ministry of Health officials led by Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot expressed concern over Cabinet secretaries who were actively involved in politics instead of focusing on their responsibilities assigned by the President. 

This disclosure comes at a time when many Kenyans are finding it difficult to afford basic necessities, while members of the political class are perceived to be living opulently.

Recently, former Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen faced accusations of excessive opulence from disgruntled Kenyans, particularly given the lack of major infrastructure projects nearly two years into his tenure.

The cabinet secretary, who had been elected for a third term as Elgeyo Marakwet senator before resigning to take up the cabinet role, stunned Kenyans this week by revealing some of his most expensive possessions.

He mentioned owning a watch worth Sh900,000, a belt costing between Sh40,000 and Sh50,000, shoes valued at Sh70,000 to Sh80,000, and a tie priced at Sh20,000.

Murkomen attempted to downplay his wealth, stating that he only needed one belt every two years and that it could be worn on either side, giving the impression of owning two belts. He revealed these details while speaking on the Obinna Show Live.

However, Kenyans took X to express their surprise and further accused some cabinet members of partying and living large while most citizens struggled economically.

In the past, Murkomen has been photographed wearing a Rolex watch said to be worth Sh3 million, a Classic Fusion Ceramic King Gold watch valued at Sh1.3 million, a pen reportedly worth Sh50,000, and Gucci shoes valued at Sh131,000.