As controversy rages over plans to deploy police to Haiti to fight gangs, Kenya’s Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua has been demoted.

The main opposition leader Raila Odinga was the latest to oppose the deployment, saying it would put Kenyan police at risk.

President William Ruto demotioned Mr Mutua to tourism minister as part of the first major cabinet reshuffle.

The president criticized some of his ministers for being clueless in August.

In August last year, Mr Ruto was elected with the promise of boosting the economy and improving the lives of the lower-income earners.

However, he has faced a series of opposition-led protests over rising living costs and taxes.

Late on Wednesday, the president said the reshuffle was intended to “optimize performance and enhance delivery”.

Tuesday, the president ordered ministries to cut their spending by 10% on government spending and foreign travel.

Putting the foreign affairs ministry under the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, his close ally, Mr Ruto reassigned Mr Mutua to the tourism ministry.

The move is seen as an attempt to increase the influence of Mr Ruto’s inner circle over diplomatic issues.