By Ken Afor
Amid the uproar surrounding plans to send police to Haiti to combat gang violence, Kenya’s foreign minister Alfred Mutua has been demoted.
The latest to oppose it was the leader of the main opposition, Raila Odinga, who claimed that the deployment would endanger Kenyan police lives.
President William Ruto’s first significant cabinet reshuffle included Mr. Mutua’s reassignment as tourism minister.
The president criticized some of his ministers as lacking ideas back in August.
With the promise of boosting the economy and enhancing the lives of those with lower incomes, Mr. Ruto took office in August of last year.
But he has had to deal with numerous protests organized by the opposition in response to rising taxes and the cost of living.
The president said in a statement late on Wednesday that the reshuffle was meant to “optimise performance and enhance delivery as set out in the administration’s manifesto”.
The president imposed strict restrictions on government spending and international travel on Tuesday, directing all ministries to make a 10% spending cut.
Mr. Mutua was reassigned to the tourism ministry, and Mr. Ruto placed the foreign affairs ministry under the office of the prime cabinet secretary, which is run by Musalia Mudavadi, a close friend of his.
The action is interpreted as an effort to give Mr. Ruto’s inner circle more clout over diplomatic matters.
The changes were “necessitated by performance,” according to Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei, a senior member of the ruling party.
“The writing is on the wall for the non-performing cabinet secretaries and those who perpetuate corruption and lethargy in their ministries,” Mr Cherargei posted on X, formerly Twitter.
In his capacity as foreign minister, Mr. Mutua was an outspoken advocate for a Kenyan-led peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
He recently stated that approximately 1,000 police would be sent out “shortly.”
The force’s deployment was authorized by the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
Although he applauded the decision, Mr. Ruto did not say when the police would arrive.
Before the deployment, some Kenyan MPs have demanded parliamentary approval.
The defense and security ministers, who have kept quiet about the anticipated deployment to Haiti, were unaffected by the reorganization.
If sent, the Kenyan police would aid in combating the gangs that have taken over sizable portions of Haiti, killing hundreds and disrupting public services.
According to Mr. Odinga, the situation in Haiti is too dangerous for Kenyan police, he said while speaking in an interview with privately owned KTN News.
“When coffins start arriving here, that’s when we shall regret [it]. Haiti is dangerous and there’s a possibility our police will encounter problems there,” the opposition leader said.
Moses Kuria, the trade minister, was transferred to the public service portfolio in the reorganization, which was another notable change.
The minister in charge of relations with the East African Community (EAC), Rebecca Miano, has taken his place.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai ignored Mr. Kuria and declined to meet with him during her July visit to Kenya.
Ms. Tai reportedly took issue with the vulgar language Mr. Kuria had used to disparage the Kenyan press and opposition.
A popular Chinese-owned store’s operations close to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, also brought Mr. Kuria into the spotlight.
Mr. Kuria accused the store of stealing customers from nearby merchants by selling goods for too little money, leading to its temporary closure.
Other key cabinet changes include:
Water Minister Alice Wahome moves to the land and housing ministry
Aisha Jumwa from public service to gender and culture.
Tourism Minister Peninah Malonza moves to the Ministry of the East African Community.
Several permanent secretaries and foreign ambassadors were redistributed by Mr. Ruto.
Additionally, he appointed former senator Isaac Mwaura to serve as spokesperson for the government.
