Kenyan President William Ruto appointed four prominent opposition members to a “broad-based” cabinet on Wednesday, following more than a month of anti-government protests.
Ruto unveiled the names of ten ministers to be part of a revamped cabinet, including four close to veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, following the submission of another ten ministers to parliament on Tuesday.
The embattled president fired practically his entire government on July 11, and announced a new partial lineup on July 19, which featured several expelled ministers.
“I commend the leadership of diverse organisations, both in public and private sectors, including political parties for the encouraging response to my outreach to consult on forming a broad based government,” Ruto tweeted.
“Their willingness to set aside partisan positions and interests in order to join a visionary partnership for the radical transformation of Kenya is a historic gesture of their patriotism.”
The four opposition nominees are John Mbadi (treasury), James Opiyo Wandayi (energy), Ali Joho (mines), and Wycliffe Oparanya (cooperatives).
The nominations must be approved by the Parliament.
Five of those listed on Wednesday were members of the dismissed cabinet.
Since late June, Ruto has taken a number of steps to attempt to limit the situation, including rejecting profoundly unpopular tax rises and promising cuts to what many regard as excessive government expenditure.
However, marches led primarily by Gen-Z Kenyans, while considerably fewer than last month, have continued around the country under the hashtag #RutoMustGo, with angry activists also demanding action against corruption and police brutality.