Kenyan President William Ruto has nominated a key ally of main opposition leader Raila Odinga to his cabinet, the latest move to quell growing dissatisfaction with the government.
He gave four positions to the opposition, including the powerful ministries of finance and energy.
It is the first time the opposition has served in government since 2008, when Mr Odinga became prime minister in the cabinet of then-President Mwai Kibaki.
The decision comes as Mr Ruto 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, Ruto said he had held extensive consultations on forming a “broad-based government” that would spearhead a “transformation agenda” to make Kenya a “better, more just and prosperous” country. s country.
However, protesters reject a “broad-based” government, saying it would only perpetuate deals among Kenya’s political elite.
The four opposition members holding ministerial posts are:
- John Mbadi (Finance, known as Treasury in Kenya)
- Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum)
- Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy) and
- Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development).
Mr Ruto appointed a total of 10 cabinet members, bringing the size of the cabinet to 21.
Cabinet appointments in Kenya are subject to parliamentary approval, which is likely to happen as the two main political parties reach an agreement.
Mr Ruto takes office in 2022 after defeating Mr Odinga in a hotly contested election.
He has promised young people more economic opportunities, but he has lost much of their support.
Last month, he was forced to abandon the tax increase after massive protests.
Kenyans complain they are unable to pay more taxes as they face a cost-of-living crisis and endemic corruption and waste in government.
