Cabinet ReShuffling Looms as Ruto Receives Strange Plea

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Kanini Kega has raised concerns about President William Ruto’s economic advisers, asserting that their counsel has not contributed to the nation’s economic progress.

In an radio interview, Kega suggested that President Ruto should shift his focus towards collaborating more closely with his ministers, sidelining the advice provided by these advisers.

Notable figures among these advisers include economic scholar Dr. David Ndii (chairman), Dr. Nancy Laibuni, Dr. Augustine Cheruiyot, Mohamed Hassan, and former East African Community Affairs Minister Adan Mohamed from the government of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kega emphasized, “President Ruto should temporarily set aside his economic advisers and instead work closely with ministers.

These advisers are the main reason for the country’s economic instability.” This critique surfaces amidst ongoing scrutiny of Kenya Kwanza government policies amid an economic downturn.

Some advisers, including Dr. Ndii, defended themselves, stating that their counsel often goes unheeded by the government. In a 2023 post on the X network, Dr. Ndii lamented, “We provide our advice even though it is often not considered. What else can we do?”

Kega drew attention to the declining value of the Kenyan shilling against the Ugandan and Tanzanian shillings, attributing it to the economic challenges.

He highlighted the shift from the past when the Kenyan shilling traded at USh30 in Uganda, now dropping to USh23. Similarly, in Tanzania, the Kenyan shilling’s value has fallen from TZS25 to TZS16. Kega’s concern over this depreciation underscores the broader economic repercussions facing the nation.

The economic debate intensifies as critics question the effectiveness of the Kenya Kwanza government’s policies. Kega’s call for President Ruto to reevaluate his reliance on advisers and instead foster collaboration with ministers reflects a growing sentiment that a recalibration of economic strategies is imperative.

As the country grapples with economic instability, the discourse surrounding the roles of advisers and ministers takes center stage in shaping the trajectory of Kenya’s economic recovery.