Amid public pressure, Kenyan president names new small Cabinet

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Amidst mounting public pressure, President William Ruto on Friday unveiled a new small Cabinet, consisting of 11 nominated Cabinet secretaries.

This announcement follows the president's dramatic decision last week to dismiss almost his entire Cabinet, sparing only Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. This came after nationwide protests against tax hike which left 50 dead.

The government has abandoned the tax hikes this year.

In a bid to stabilize his administration, Ruto has retained a few crucial figures within his government.

“I nominate the following first batch of eleven individuals for consideration and approval by the National Assembly for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General,” Ruto said at a briefing at State House in the capital Nairobi.

Kithure Kindiki has been reappointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, and Aden Duale continues his role as the Cabinet Secretary for Defence.

The newly nominated Cabinet Secretaries include Debra Mulongo Barasa for the Ministry of Health, Davis Chirchir for Roads and Transport, Soipan Tuya for Environment and Forestry, Eric Muga for Water, Sanitation & Irrigation, and Julius Migosi for Education.

​​​​​​​Rebecca Miano has been nominated for the position of Attorney General.

The restructured Cabinet comes at a crucial juncture, as the government grapples with public dissatisfaction, nationwide anti-government protests and demands for comprehensive reforms.