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Kenyan leader makes controversial cabinet appointments | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Anti-government protesters have accused the opposition of accepting bribes to join William Ruto’s “broad-based” administration | Anti-government protesters have accused the opposition of accepting bribes to join William Ruto’s “broad-based” administration |
Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed members of the country’s largest opposition party as part of a “national unity government,” following deadly anti-tax protests. The move, however, has led to criticism from prominent anti-government activists. | |
Ruto named John Mbadi as finance minister and Hassan Joho as cabinet secretary for mining, blue economy, and maritime affairs during a media briefing at his Nairobi residence on Wednesday. Wycliffe Oparanya was picked as cabinet secretary for cooperatives, and Opiyo Wandayi as cabinet secretary for energy. | Ruto named John Mbadi as finance minister and Hassan Joho as cabinet secretary for mining, blue economy, and maritime affairs during a media briefing at his Nairobi residence on Wednesday. Wycliffe Oparanya was picked as cabinet secretary for cooperatives, and Opiyo Wandayi as cabinet secretary for energy. |
The four, listed among ten nominees, are top officials of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), whose leader, Raila Odinga, is a vocal critic of Ruto’s administration. Odinga has unsuccessfully challenged Ruto’s victory in the East African country’s 2022 presidential elections, alleging vote rigging. | The four, listed among ten nominees, are top officials of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), whose leader, Raila Odinga, is a vocal critic of Ruto’s administration. Odinga has unsuccessfully challenged Ruto’s victory in the East African country’s 2022 presidential elections, alleging vote rigging. |
“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,” Ruto said. | “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,” Ruto said. |
“I know and I understand acutely the huge expectations of the people of Kenya on me and this administration,” he added. | “I know and I understand acutely the huge expectations of the people of Kenya on me and this administration,” he added. |
Earlier this month, the Kenyan leader fired most cabinet members and announced a decision to form a “broad-based” government after weeks of violent demonstrations forced him to withdraw a finance bill that aimed to raise $2.7 billion in tax. Ruto announced 11 nominations last week, retaining six members from the previous cabinet. | Earlier this month, the Kenyan leader fired most cabinet members and announced a decision to form a “broad-based” government after weeks of violent demonstrations forced him to withdraw a finance bill that aimed to raise $2.7 billion in tax. Ruto announced 11 nominations last week, retaining six members from the previous cabinet. |
Organizers of the protests, which the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights says resulted in at least 50 deaths, have criticized the opposition’s decision to join Ruto’s cabinet. | Organizers of the protests, which the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights says resulted in at least 50 deaths, have criticized the opposition’s decision to join Ruto’s cabinet. |
On Wednesday, Boniface Mwangi, a prominent anti-government activist known as ‘the people’s watchman’, branded opposition leader Odinga as a “traitor.” | On Wednesday, Boniface Mwangi, a prominent anti-government activist known as ‘the people’s watchman’, branded opposition leader Odinga as a “traitor.” |
“He has betrayed the people and formed a government of national looting with Zakayo [nickname for Ruto],” Mwangi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Zakayo is the Swahili name for the biblical character Zacchaeus, who is depicted as a greedy tax collector. | “He has betrayed the people and formed a government of national looting with Zakayo [nickname for Ruto],” Mwangi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Zakayo is the Swahili name for the biblical character Zacchaeus, who is depicted as a greedy tax collector. |
Earlier, Odinga denied accepting bribes to join Ruto’s government. On Tuesday, the politician backed a statement from his party’s secretary general, cautioning that seeking ministerial positions would be in contravention of ODM policy. | Earlier, Odinga denied accepting bribes to join Ruto’s government. On Tuesday, the politician backed a statement from his party’s secretary general, cautioning that seeking ministerial positions would be in contravention of ODM policy. |
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