In a sweeping move, President William Ruto yesterday dissolved his first Cabinet, retaining only his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
This decision comes in the wake of youth-led protests opposing tax hikes and demanding governance reforms, including the dissolution of the cabinet.
The Ruto administration, announced on September 27, 2022, and reshuffled on October 4, 2023, had faced mounting criticism due to unpopular policies and perceived extravagance, which angered many Kenyans struggling with a high cost of living.
Many of the dismissed cabinet members were key political allies of Ruto and pivotal figures in his electoral success.
The full list of dismissed Cabinet Secretaries includes:
- Kithure Kindiki – Interior and National Administration
- Njuguna Ndung’u – National Treasury and Planning
- Aisha Jumwa – Gender, Culture, the Arts & Heritage
- Aden Duale – Defence
- Alice Wahome – Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
- Alfred Mutua – Tourism and Wildlife
- Moses K. Kuria – Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management
- Rebecca Miano – Investments, Trade and Industry
- Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen – Roads and Transport
- Roselinda Soipan Tuya – Environment and Forestry
- Zachariah Mwangi Njeru – Water, Sanitation and Irrigation
- Peninah Malonza – East African Community, the ASALs, and Regional Development
- Mithika Linturi – Agriculture and Livestock Development
- Ezekiel Machogu – Education
- Davis Chirchir – Energy and Petroleum
- Ababu Namwamba – Youth Affairs and Sports
- Simon Chelugui – Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development
- Salim Mvurya – Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs
- Florence Bore – Labour and Social Protection
- Eliud Owalo – Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy
- Susan Nakhumicha Wafula – Health
- Justin Bedan Njoka Muturi – Attorney-General
- Mercy Kiiru Wanjau – Secretary to the Cabinet
