Kenya’s President William Ruto addresses the nation to announce new cabinet secretaries in his government, in the wake of nationwide protests over new taxes, at State House in Nairobi, Kenya, July 19, 2024. Photo: Reuters

On Friday, Kenya’s embattled President William Ruto recycled many members from the cabinet he dismissed last week in a bid to address the concerns of young protesters.

In a televised address, Ruto announced 11 appointments—six of whom were from the previous cabinet—with more to be announced soon.

“While the events of the past month have caused tremendous anxiety, concern and uncertainty, the crisis has presented us with a great opportunity, as a nation, to craft a broad-based, and inclusive citizen coalition for national transformation and progress, made up of Kenyans from all walks of life,” Ruto said.

“Consequently, I have started the process of forming a new broad-based cabinet to assist in driving the urgently needed and irreversible transformation of our country.”

Last week’s mass firings were a concession to demands from youth-led protests, which had already pressured him to retract $2.7 billion in proposed tax hikes amid the most significant crisis of his two-year presidency.

The protests have resulted in over 50 deaths since mid-June, with many demonstrators now calling for Ruto’s resignation. Large protests continued this week despite the president’s concessions.

Ruto reappointed the ministers of interior, defence, environment, and lands, while changing the portfolios of two other ministers.

The nominee for education minister, Julius Migos Ogamba, was the running mate of the outgoing education minister, Ezekiel Machogu, during Machogu’s unsuccessful bid for governor of Kisii County in 2022.

The nominees for ministers of health, information, agriculture, water, and education did not appear to have political backgrounds.

“I will be issuing next week a clear roadmap on the assignment that the new cabinet is going to have, with clear timelines and deliverables,” Ruto said.

‘REJECTED’

Leading activists behind the protests, which have no official leader and reject the entire political class as corrupt, quickly criticized the appointments. One activist, Hanifa Farsafi, posted the list of nominees on X with “REJECTED” stamped across it in red.

Ruto faces pressure from lenders to reduce high debts and from a public struggling with high living costs. The government has proposed austerity measures to narrow the deficit caused by retracting the proposed tax increases.

It is reported that some members of the political opposition might be named to Ruto’s new cabinet.

However, protesters have opposed the idea of a unity government, arguing that a deal between rival coalitions would only continue the tradition of Kenyan leaders co-opting the opposition with jobs and perks, while the general population sees no benefits.