AGS NEWS – President William Ruto of Kenya has dissolved his cabinet immediately in a bid to address ongoing protests demanding an end to his administration.

This move comes amidst challenges in his plan to increase revenues through tax hikes, exacerbated by the Kenyan Revenue Authority failing to meet its 2023 tax targets.

“I have decided to dismiss all cabinet secretaries and the Attorney General, effective immediately, except for the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Diaspora Affairs.

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The Vice President’s office remains unaffected,” Ruto announced in a televised speech on Thursday.

Earlier in the week, President Ruto sought assistance from opposition leader Raila Odinga to calm the unrest that has gripped the nation for a month.

The protests initially erupted in opposition to new taxes on essential goods like bread, vehicles, diapers, and sanitary products, and evolved into calls for Ruto’s resignation.

Criticisms against his government include accusations of corruption, extrajudicial killings, abductions, and inefficiency.

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The crisis began when the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition failed to heed demands to reject the contentious 2024 Finance Bill, which was eventually withdrawn on June 25 after demonstrators stormed parliament.