Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday nominated four members of the main opposition party to his promised “broad-based” cabinet in response to nationwide protests. However, activists have criticized the new government as a corrupt bargain.
Among the opposition members nominated is John Mbadi, an ally of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who Ruto defeated in the 2022 election, and the nominee for the finance ministry.
In a speech from his official residence, Ruto described the new government as “a visionary partnership for the radical transformation of Kenya” and expressed gratitude to those who consulted on its formation for their “historic gesture of patriotism.”
Young protesters, who spearheaded six weeks of demonstrations that forced Ruto to withdraw $2.7 billion in tax hikes, said the unity government would continue the tradition of leaders co-opting the opposition at the expense of the public. More than 50 people have been killed in these protests, marking the biggest crisis of Ruto’s two years in power.
Despite the shelving of the tax hikes, demonstrations have persisted, with many activists now demanding Ruto’s resignation and comprehensive reforms to tackle corruption.
Prominent anti-government activist Boniface Mwangi criticized the unity government, stating on social media, “Zakayo has appointed corrupt people to fight corruption.” “Zakayo” is a Swahili nickname for Ruto, referencing a greedy tax collector in the Bible.
Mwangi also condemned Odinga, accusing him of betraying the people and forming a government of “national looting” with Ruto. Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) denied any negotiations with the government for a coalition or political arrangement.
The ODM was scheduled to hold a news conference shortly after Ruto’s speech, and the party’s coalition allies have strongly opposed a unity government.
In addition to the four opposition members, Ruto reinstated five members of the cabinet he had dismissed earlier this month in response to protesters’ demands.
Last week, Ruto announced 11 nominations, six of whom were holdovers from the previous cabinet. One nominee’s background was not immediately clear, and Ruto said he would announce additional nominees soon.
Ruto also proposed amendments to anti-corruption and public procurement laws and called on the police to release any innocent people arrested during the demonstrations.
The protests, mostly organized online without official leaders, began peacefully but turned violent as police fired tear gas and live rounds. Some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament on June 25.
Activists circulated calls on social media for a march on Thursday to present a petition to the president’s office and lay flowers at parliament in memory of those killed a month earlier.
While Ruto initially praised the protesters for being peaceful and mobilizing across ethnic lines, he has recently increased his criticism of the protest movement, vowing to stop the demonstrations and accusing them of causing “mayhem and anarchy.”
Anti-government activists have attributed incidents of violence and looting to thugs hired by politicians to discredit the movement and advance their own agendas.
