Ruto’s fiscal shift will create challenges for Kenya

Significance This is the first major setback for the administration's fiscal consolidation efforts, which had initially made progress. Impacts Cuts to sensitive areas of development spending risk generating more social unrest. Protestors want more than mere cosmetic policy shifts; the first test will be how Ruto handles a planned dialogue and cabinet reshuffle. The president will struggle to recover from the severe political fallout ensuing from this episode.