Kenya’s opposition joins crisis-hit government

Nairobi July 24—Kenya’s President William Ruto has nominated key allies of main opposition leader Raila Odinga to his cabinet, in the latest move to quell growing dissatisfaction with his government.

He gave four posts to the opposition – including the powerful finance and energy ministries.

This is the first time the opposition will serve in government since Mr Odinga took up the post of prime minister in then-President Mwai Kibaki’s cabinet in 2008.

Mr Ruto’s decision comes as he faces the biggest crisis of his presidency, with young people taking to the streets to demand his resignation under the hashtag #RutoMustGo.

In an address to the nation, Mr Ruto said he had consulted extensively on forming a “broad-based government” that would spearhead a “transformational agenda” to make Kenya a “better, more just and prosperous” nation.

However, protesters have rejected a “broad-based” government, saying it merely perpetuates deal-making among Kenya’s political elite.

The four opposition members given ministries include; John Mbadi (finance, referred to as treasury in Kenya); Opiyo Wandayi (energy and petroleum);

John Mbadi

Hassan Joho (mining and blue economy) and Wycliffe Oparanya (co-operatives and micro, small and medium enterprises development).

President Ruto appointed 10 cabinet members in total, bringing his cabinet to 21.

Cabinet appointments in Kenya are subject to parliamentary approval, something that likely to happen as the two main parties have struck a deal.

Mr Ruto took office in 2022 after defeating Mr Odinga in a tightly contested election. He promised young people greater economic opportunities, but he has lost considerable support among them.

He was forced to back down from introducing tax increases last month after mass protests.

Kenyans complained that they could not pay more taxes, when they were facing a cost-of-living crisis and there was widespread corruption and wastage in government.