Kibaki’s 2005 Cabinet Shake-Up: Raila and Kalonzo Ousted
On November 23, 2005, the late former President Mwai Kibaki stunned the nation by dismissing all his Cabinet Ministers and their assistants, sparing no one.
This decisive action came shortly after Kibaki failed to deliver a new constitution for Kenyans, a promise hindered by opposition from some of his own Cabinet members.
Kibaki, in his announcement, cited the referendum results—where Kenyans voted against the proposed constitution—as the reason for this sweeping change.
“Following the Referendum outcome, it is necessary for me, as President of the Republic, to reorganize my Government to enhance its cohesiveness and efficiency in serving the Kenyan people,” stated Kibaki.
“I have ordered that all Ministerial and Assistant Ministerial positions be vacated immediately,” he continued, effectively terminating the officials’ roles without delay.
However, Vice President Moody Awori remained in his position to oversee government operations, aided by permanent secretaries.
The opposition, alongside some of Kibaki’s Cabinet Ministers, influenced 57 percent of voters to reject the proposed constitution, while 43 percent were in favor.
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Among the seven Cabinet Ministers who campaigned against the draft were Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, William Ole Ntimama, Lina Kilimo, Ochilo Ayacko, Najib Balala, and Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o. Supporters of the government’s proposal faced the consequences due to the dissent of these seven.
Fast forward to July 11, 2024, President William Ruto emulated Kibaki by firing his entire Cabinet, sparing only Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Like Kibaki, Ruto assigned Principal Secretaries the responsibility of running ministries until a new Cabinet was formed.
“After reflecting and attentively listening to Kenyans, and thoroughly evaluating my Cabinet’s performance, I have, under the powers granted by Article 152(1) and 152(5)(b) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Office of the Attorney-General Act, decided to immediately dismiss all Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney-General, except the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,” Ruto declared.
Ruto aims to consult across various sectors and political groups to establish a broad-based government.
“I will engage in extensive consultations across diverse sectors and political formations to form a broad-based government. This will help me accelerate and expedite critical programs to address debt burden, boost domestic resources, expand job opportunities, eliminate waste and duplication of government agencies, and tackle corruption, thus creating a lean, cost-effective, and efficient government,” he elaborated.
Kibaki’s 2005 Cabinet Shake-Up: Raila and Kalonzo Ousted
