Senators are pushing for the overhaul of President William Ruto’s cabinet, demanding a reflection of the current challenges facing Kenya.
Led by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Senators have made calls to disband the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary, currently held by CS Musalia Mudavadi, among other significant recommendations.
Addressing the Senate on Wednesday, July 3, Khalwale, a prominent member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), criticised the inclusion of offices like that of the first and second ladies outside constitutional bounds.
He vehemently urged President Ruto to dissolve and reconstruct the entire cabinet, emphasising, "Mr President, dissolve and reconstitute the Cabinet. Disband offices like the Prime Cabinet Secretary that are not constitutionally mandated in Kenya."
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," he urged during the Senate session. "Why do we need 21 Cabinet Secretaries for a population of less than 60 million, especially with an economy that cannot support such expenditure?"
In a preemptive move on Sunday, President Ruto announced stringent austerity measures, including a freeze on funding for the offices of the First Lady and the Deputy President's spouse from July 1, 2024.
Additionally, he declared a halt to the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) and vowed to ban nationwide fundraisers, responding to widespread anti-government sentiments.
"I understand the public sentiment against maintaining offices like that of the first and second ladies," Ruto remarked during a candid roundtable interview with the media.
"In the face of our current challenges, we must live within our means. Therefore, these offices will no longer be funded," he affirmed.
Ruto's announcements come amid escalating protests and the recent annulment of the Finance Bill, 2024, intended to guide revenue collection and government spending.
During the interview, Ruto expressed readiness to engage Kenya's youth on various platforms, acknowledging the nation's crisis while evading questions about his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, and admitting that his cabinet "could have performed better."
The president further pledged to slash his office's budget, promising that the savings would benefit other state departments. However, the President is now facing more pressure to resign.
