Ruto resists pressure for cabinet shake-up
President William Ruto is understood to have resisted growing pressure from rival camps within the UDA and ODM alliance for a major Cabinet reshuffle, despite persistent lobbying for the changes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Political insiders say influential hardliners in both camps have been pushing the President to bring more trusted political allies into Government, arguing that their networks and political capital could help shore up his support and strengthen his re-election bid.
But the push is understood to have run into resistance at State House, with Ruto wary of the political consequences of a sweeping shake-up at a time when his administration is already facing mounting discontent in several regions.
Of particular concern is the potential fallout in Mt Kenya, where the President’s political lieutenants are said to have been lobbying for the removal of some Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries perceived to have fallen out of favour with sections of the region.
Sources familiar with the behind-the-scenes manoeuvres say some of the proposals have included replacing targeted officials with ODM stalwarts as part of efforts to deepen the Kenya Kwanza–ODM working arrangement.
The President, however, is understood to have flatly declined to sanction the proposed changes, apparently unwilling to risk alienating sections of his traditional support base while attempting to consolidate new political alliances.
The decision has left competing factions watching closely for Ruto’s next move.
A political operative believed to have the ear of the president was overheard lamenting while heavily inebriated how the president intends to regain lost political ground, rebuild confidence in his administration and marshal sufficient support across the country without triggering a fresh rebellion within his own political base. Only time will tell as the country gears up for next year’s poll contest.
