Kenyan President William Ruto today dismissed almost all of his ministers, with the exception of his deputy president and the foreign minister, two weeks after anti-government protests in which at least 39 people died.

After "listening to what the people of Kenya have been saying and after a thorough assessment of my Government's performance and its achievements and challenges, I have decided today (…) to dismiss all members with immediate effect“, announced the head of state at a press conference at the presidential palace.

A government reshuffle had been expected since the large-scale demonstrations that followed the announcement of new tax cuts in June, which led thousands of young people to protest in the streets.

Only Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Vice President Rigathi Gachagua will retain their portfolios, Ruto continued.

"I will immediately begin broad consultations among different sectors and political groups, with the aim of defining a government with a broad base of support that will help me accelerate and expedite the necessary and urgent measures."

“The recent events that forced the withdrawal of the finance bill and which will require a review and reorganization of our budget (…) have brought us to a turning point.”

Kenyan President William Ruto said.

For the Head of State, the new Government should allow him to take “radical measures” to face the “debt burden“, increase employment opportunities and combat corruption.

On June 26, the Kenyan President withdrew a controversial budget proposal that included tax increases, a day after young protesters stormed parliament.

Police fired live ammunition into the crowd and according to the official human rights agency (KNHCR), 39 people have died since the first demonstration on June 18.

The Government was taken by surprise by the scale of the protest, dubbed “Occupy Parliament” that emerged on social media after the budget was presented to parliament on June 13, and which resonated strongly with “Generation Z” (young people born after 1997).

The budget proposal catalyzed simmering discontent with President Ruto, who was elected in August 2022 on a promise to defend the poorest, but who then increased the tax burden on the population.

Following the withdrawal of the draft budget, William Ruto announced an increase in debt – of around 169 billion shillings (1,2 billion euros) – and a reduction in expenditure of around 177 billion shillings (1,3 billion euros).

At the same time, Moody's downgraded Kenya's long-term debt rating, placing it on a negative outlook. Kenya, the economic powerhouse of East Africa, has public debt equivalent to approximately 70% of its gross domestic product.

The 2024-25 budget envisaged record spending of €29 billion, initially financed by tax increases on bread and, in a second version, on fuel.