Kenyan President William Ruto Expands Government with Opposition Figures
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has made a strategic move to include more opposition figures in his government in a bid to address the growing dissatisfaction among the populace. This decision comes on the heels of a surprise meeting between Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. In a significant shift, Ruto had previously appointed several allies of opposition leader Raila Odinga to key government positions.
Political analysts interpret Ruto’s actions as an attempt to shore up support for his administration, particularly in the politically crucial Mt. Kenya region. The region had shown signs of turning against Ruto following the impeachment of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. Ruto’s government has been under fire for the past couple of years due to increasing taxes and a deteriorating economic climate, leading to widespread public discontent.
One of the key flashpoints was a finance bill that proposed further tax hikes, sparking mass protests across the country. In response, Ruto withdrew the bill and made sweeping changes to his cabinet. The new cabinet lineup includes three allies of former President Kenyatta and four associates of opposition leader Odinga, signaling Ruto’s efforts to establish a more inclusive and diverse government.
SOURCE: BBC
