In a twist of events, Ruto handed critical dockets including Finance, Energy, and Trade, to opposition leader Raila Odinga's allies in what has been perceived as an attempt to appease the protesters demanding radical changes in government.
Addressing the media at State House, Nairobi, Ruto hoped his new cabinet would revive efforts to deflate anti-government protests that have been going on for weeks.
President Ruto nominated the chairman of the ODM party, John Mbadi, as Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning (Finance). He also picked ODM deputy leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Ali Hassan Joho to head plum dockets previously held by his loyalists.
Oparanya has been nominated to head the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, while Joho will be in charge of the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, also a senior member of Odinga's ODM party, has been nominated as Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.
Seven more new appointments were made in addition to the 11 that Ruto announced last week.
Salim Mvurya was moved from the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy Investments, Trade, and Industry. Kipchumba Murkomen is set to become the Minister of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports after a stint at the Road and Transport docket.
Former Trade Minister, Rebecca Miano, will be in charge of the Tourism and Wildlife portfolio.
Alfred Mutua has been nominated to head the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, while former Attorney General Justin Muturi has been nominated to head the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development. Stella Soi Lang'at is set to take over as the new Minister for Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage.
The ODM party is the main opposition party in Kenya. It is also the largest party in the Azimio la Umoja â€" One Kenya coalition, which was formed in the run-up to the 2022 presidential elections.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning recently found itself at the center of the Kenyan protests after drafting the Finance Bill 2024, which sought to raise $2.7 billion local revenue through collection of additional taxes.
Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga last week opposed calls for President Ruto to resign over government failures and instead called for dialogue to resolve the issues raised by the youth.
While announcing the additional members of the cabinet, Ruto promised to tackle corruption in government by undertaking stringent measures.
'I will be proposing the amendment of the Evidence Act, Criminal Procedure Code, as well as other necessary changes, to expedite and prosecute corruption cases within six months,' he said.
Additionally, the president pledged to propose amendments to the Witness Protection Act to protect and incentivize whistleblowers as well as enhance witness protection.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
