President Ruto incorporates people who oppose his government into the government

President Ruto incorporates people who oppose his government into the government

Last Friday, President Ruto announced the other ministers but said he would add others after consulting with different politicians.

Four of the ministers are members of the opposition political grouping Azimio la Umoja coalition, including John Mbadi, who was appointed as Minister of National Treasury, Opiyo Wandayi, who was appointed as Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Ali Hassan Joho, who was appointed as Minister of Gemstones and Mines, and Wycliffe Oparanya, who was appointed as Minister of Associations.

Other ministers from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition include Salim Mvuliya, appointed as Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Rebecca Miano, appointed as Minister of Tourism, and Kipchuba Murkoman, appointed as Minister of Youth and Sports.

Alfred Mutua has been appointed Minister of Labour and Workers’ Insurance, Justin Muturi has been appointed Minister of National Services and Stella Soi Lang’at has been appointed Minister of Equality, Culture, Beauty and Heritage.

President Ruto said he was inviting others to join the government and would announce them soon.

Speaking after announcing the members of the government, President Ruto called for the release of those arrested during the protests and the dropping of the crimes they were charged with.

President Ruto said the decision to release them was taken to protect the national economy as funds used to investigate the crimes they were accused of would be used for other purposes.

Kenya’s president condemned the use of force by security forces to disperse protesters and called for an immediate investigation into the deaths of all those who died during the protests.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission said 50 people had been killed, 68 others arrested and more than 60 kidnapped.

On July 19, President Ruto announced the first list of ministers of the new government, including former ministers such as Aden Duale, who was reinstated as Defense Minister, and Professor Kisur Kindiki, who was reinstated as Interior Minister.

On July 11, 2024, President Ruto decided to dissolve the government following strong protests demanding that he suspend the budget law, which included tax increases and measures to ease the lives of the people.

In addition to dissolving the current government, President Ruto recently decided to reduce the amount of funds allocated to government agencies, stop unnecessary foreign travel by officials, and eliminate the budgets for the wife of the head of state, the foreign minister, the president and the deputy president.

Kenya’s new government is led by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi. President Ruto held talks with speakers including from political parties that oppose him.