President William Ruto of Kenya has announced the appointment of 11 new officials, including six members of the cabinet that was dismissed last week. The East African nation has been experiencing widespread protests calling for Ruto to step down, leading to at least 50 deaths since June 18. Last week, Ruto fired most of his cabinet in an attempt to address the protesters’ concerns, but demonstrations continued this week.
In his televised address, Ruto acknowledged the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the recent events and called for a broad-based and inclusive coalition to drive national transformation. The appointments include the reappointment of key ministers, such as the heads of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Defence. The nominations also feature Kenya’s first female attorney general.
However, Ruto’s appointments were swiftly rejected by activists and the opposition Azimio coalition, who labeled the changes as cosmetic and a betrayal of the Kenyan people. The opposition stated that they would not participate in a government of national unity led by Ruto’s party, Kenya Kwanza. Protesters have expressed their distrust of unity governments, stating that such arrangements only serve to benefit political leaders while the population sees no real change.
The nominations must be approved by parliament, and the ongoing demonstrations highlight the deep divisions and political turmoil in Kenya. The appointment of the new officials is seen as a potential turning point in the country’s political landscape, with many calling for genuine reforms and a transparent and accountable government.
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