President William Ruto has bowed to pressure from the Gen Z and fired all his Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General Justin Muturi.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were however spared from the President’s axe.
This move has left Kenyan’s wondering what next for the country and various ministries.
Here are stories that made headlines over the week – Welcome to The Roundup.
President William Ruto Dissolves Cabinet
President William Ruto on Thursday, July 11sacked all Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General Justin Muturi after dissolving his Cabinet.
“Upon reflection, listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said and after a holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges, I have, in line with the powers given to me by Article 152(1) and 152(5)(b) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Office of the Attorney-General Act, decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney-General from the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya except the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,” said Ruto
Ruto in a State of the nation address at State House, Nairobi said he will engage Kenyans both in public and private sectors in consultation with an aim of setting up a broad-based government.
He also added that the operations of the government will continue uninterrupted under the guidance of Principal Secretaries and other relevant officials.
Ruto Assents to IEBC Bill
President William Ruto on Tuesday, July 9 signed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Amendment Bill, 2024 into law.
This move by the head of state paves the way for the establishment of the selection panel for appointing IEBC commissioners.
The IEBC Bill was passed by Parliament following the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Unity Calls & Dialogue with Gen Z
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga issued a way forward on planned discussions with the youth protesting against the government.
Speaking during the assent of the IEBC amendment bill 2024, the two leaders mentioned that the multi-sectoral engagement forum is on and urged the youth to submit the names of their representatives.
Ruto stated that they agreed to bring the country together to address issues that are a priority for the people of Kenya.
He said the six-day forum will now consist of 150 participants, 50 more than the number initially announced by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
“We will move ahead with the multisectoral forum, and we have agreed that a membership of 150 representatives of various stakeholders, fifty of whom shall be young people of Kenya, while the other 100 will be representatives of all the other sectors,” Ruto said.
Additionally, Ruto revealed that the forum will begin on Monday, July 15, and end the following Saturday.
“It will be a six-day forum and will propose the way forward for the country,” he said.
ODM Responds After Gen Zs Bash Raila
Following Raila Odinga and President William Ruto’s plans for dialogue to address issues raised by the Kenyan youth, Gen Z took to various social media platforms expressing their discontent.
They insisted that they are a leaderless and party less entity with a goal to have the head of state listen to their concerns.
Consequently, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) responded affirmed that Raila Odinga has consistently played a pivotal role in pulling the country back from crises whenever they arise.
The party emphasized its agreement with Raila’s call for dialogue, asserting that it is in the nation’s best interest to address pressing issues in a structured and coordinated manner.
ODM acknowledged that Raila has faced criticism, including insults, for endorsing a 6-day national dialogue to discuss concerns raised by Generation Z regarding President William Ruto’s governance.
“There can be no doubt that as a country, we are at a crossroads and approaching a precipice. One of us has to be magnanimous and patriotic enough to help call the country to order. Once again, Hon. Raila is being called names,” read a statement by ODM.
However, the Azimio leader later on through a post via his official X account noted that he had heard and listened to Gen Z.
“Nimeambiwa na hawa viongozi kwamba mumesema hamtaki handshake. Ujumbe umefika,” he stated.
On sad note
Justice David Majanja Passes On
High Court Judge David Majanja died on Wednesday, July 10
In a statement while mourning the Judge, Chief Justice Koome narrated that Majanja was rushed to hospital after falling ill on Monday, July 8.
The judge, according to Koome, underwent a successful surgery and was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to recuperate. However, he passed away while undergoing treatment on Wednesday, July 10.
“Majanja passed away last evening at The Nairobi Hospital. He fell ill on Monday 8th July 2024 and was taken to the hospital, where he was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
“Although he successfully underwent surgery in the morning and was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to recuperate, he unfortunately passed away last evening,” Koome stated.
High Court Suspends Ruto’s Taskforce
The High Court temporarily suspended the establishment of the Presidential Taskforce Committee on Forensic Audit of Public Debt by President William Ruto.
High Court Judge J.N Mugambi while delivering the ruling on July 8 said implementation of the committee should not proceed pending the hearing and determination of the application.
The ruling came following a petition filed by Nakuru doctor Gikenyi Magare and activist Eliud Matindi who termed the establishment of the taskforce as unconstitutional.
Also Big this Week
- Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah while speaking in X space said he does not mind vying for president as long as certain conditions are met. The Senator explained that he will only vie for the country’s head of state position if the people want him to.
- Jubilee Christian Church (JCC) Bishop Allan Kiuna passed away on Tuesday, July 9 while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi. Allan Kiuna died after a long battle with cancer.
- Mass protests in Kenya have been common since the 1990s but. However, during the 2024 Saba Saba commemoration, Gen Zs organized a concert to remember Kenyans killed during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
- Following their dismissal from various ministries, several Cabinet Secretaries have responded with many of them appreciating the President for the opportunity he gave them to serve the nation.
Thank you for reading
Compiled by Lynn-Linzer Kibebe
Graphics by Felix Kabugi
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