Kenyan President William Ruto appointed four ministers from the main opposition party on Wednesday (Jul. 24) in an effort to establish a broad-based government.
Hassan Joho was named Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs; Wycliffe Oparanya was selected as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives; John Mbadi was assigned to the National Treasury ministry; and Opiyo Wandayi was designated to lead the Energy ministry.
These appointments include 10 nominees in total, all of whom are close allies of Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.
These nominations proceed despite warnings from Odinga himself.
In his initial round of appointments last week, President Ruto retained six former Cabinet ministers.
Social media protesters accused the opposition of treason, with some claiming a clandestine agreement had been struck.
The nominees must still receive approval from Parliament.
Weeks of unrest in East Africa’s financial center have resulted in numerous fatalities, the dismissal of most Cabinet members, and calls for Ruto’s resignation. The protests originated from Kenyan citizens’ rejection of a proposed tax bill amid widespread economic hardship.
