Kenya's Ruto Appoints Opposition Figures to Cabinet

In a strategic effort to stabilize his administration amidst ongoing protests and political pressure, Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed four prominent opposition figures to his cabinet, marking a significant shift toward a government of national unity. The new ministers include key allies of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who have been given critical roles such as finance and energy. This cabinet expansion follows weeks of violent demonstrations resulting in at least 50 deaths, driven by public dissent against proposed tax increases amid a cost-of-living crisis. Ruto emphasized the importance of overcoming partisan divides to foster transformation in Kenya, yet the opposition has expressed skepticism, asserting that such arrangements merely reinforce elite deal-making. Despite this, Ruto has committed to addressing governance issues and cracking down on corruption. The new cabinet appointments are subject to parliamentary approval, raising questions about their potential effectiveness in calming the unrest.