On Friday, Kenyan President William Ruto appointed the first 11 members of his new Cabinet, retaining six former ministers in crucial roles, including defense and interior.
Last week, Ruto dismissed all but one minister and announced plans to form a broad-based government to address the issues that sparked monthlong protests.
These protests began with demands for legislators to reject a finance bill proposing new taxes and escalated to calls for Ruto’s resignation over alleged misgovernance.
Among the reappointed ministers are those overseeing the interior and defense ministries. However, Ruto has not yet named a finance minister, a critical position given the contentious budget.
The country’s public debt has been rising, and Ruto defended the proposed taxes as necessary for debt repayment and increased revenue.
Protesters have demanded a fresh start, accusing former ministers of incompetence, corruption, and lavish lifestyles amid a high cost of living.
The interior ministry, responsible for the police, has faced criticism for the June 25 shootings and killings of protesters who stormed parliament.
Despite Ruto’s announcement, opposition coalition members on Friday rejected the proposal to form a broad-based government, calling it a “betrayal of the Kenyan people, particularly Gen Zs and millennials,” who have led the protests demanding change.
