“I will immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations and other Kenyans, both in public and private, with the aim of setting up a broad-based government,” he said in a televised address to the nation, adding that he would announce additional measures later.

“Let us see what happens now if the new ministers deal with big issues around corruption and just the arrogance and excess of his administration and the fact that a lot of Kenyans died during the demonstrations,” he said.

Ruto has been caught between the demands of lenders such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cut deficits and a hard-pressed population reeling from the rising cost of living.

He proposed spending cuts and additional borrowing in roughly equal measure last week to fill the near $2.7bn (£2.1bn) budget deficit caused by the withdrawal of the tax rises.

Analysts have said the tax rollback means Kenya is likely to miss IMF targets, although the government does not have debts that are due.

“It’s one thing to dismiss, the second is to ensure that the people that will be chosen in the cabinet are accountable to the constitution and the rule of law,” he said.

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