Kenya's President William Ruto dismissed all his ministers on Thursday, following several weeks of street protests against high taxes and weak governance.
Ruto promised in a televised speech that he would form a new government that is "slimmed and efficient".
The East African country has been shaken by protests triggered by dissatisfaction with significant tax increases. The largely peaceful protests, led by young Kenyans, have grown into a broader movement demanding William Ruto's resignation.
The demonstrations have also occasionally turned violent. On June 25, the parliament in Nairobi was stormed and several people were killed when the police opened fire on the demonstrators.
The President has backtracked on the tax increases. He has also promised cuts in, among other things, the government's travel budget in response to criticism of what is perceived as the extravagance of those in power.
It remains to be seen whether the new government reshuffle is enough to calm the protests.
One of the prominent figures in the protest movement describes the decision as a victory: "Kenya's President has dissolved the government! Power always lies in the people's hands!", writes activist Hanifa Adan on X.
The former businessman William Ruto won the 2022 election with promises to increase the income of ordinary Kenyans. However, the economy is still under pressure from, among other things, a high foreign debt, and many Kenyans struggle to cover their living expenses.
