Kenya President reshuffles cabinet swaps foreign affairs minister.

On Wednesday, Kenya’s President William Ruto reshuffled eight cabinet members and merged the offices of the chief minister and the ministry of international affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister William Ruto said the alterations were essential to “optimize performance and enhance delivery as set out in the administration’s manifesto.”

Since he gained office in August 2022, Deputy President Ruto has been confronted with several demonstrations around the country on issues relating to the high cost of living and increased taxes.

The position of commerce minister, Moses Kiarie Kuria, was relocated to the ministry of public service. In contrast, the position of Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua was reassigned to the Ministry of tourism and Wildlife.

Musalia Mudavadi, who was serving as the prime cabinet secretary, was given responsibility for the minister of international affairs.

Mutua has been the public face of Kenya’s promise to provide 1,000 police officers to Haiti as part of a multinational security operation that the United Nations allowed to help combat violent gangs that have mostly seized the city of the Caribbean nation. The United Nations authorized the mission to assist in battling violent gangs that have fully overrun the capital of Haiti.

Ruto ascended to power on the promise that he would advocate for the interests of underprivileged “hustlers.” Still, his detractors said that increasing taxes on gasoline and housing would damage Kenyans, who are already struggling to purchase essential goods such as maize flour.