Kenyan president appoints opposition members to cabinet
Kenyan President William Ruto announced 12 more nominees to his cabinet as he continues reconstituting his administration.
Some of the nominees are members of the country’s opposition coalition while several others were members of the previous cabinet that was dissolved nearly two weeks ago.
After the dissolution of his cabinet, Ruto pledged to form a “broad-based government” amid pressure to dismiss non-performing state officers and reduce the size of government and government spending.
“I commend the leadership of diverse organisations, both in the public and private sectors, including political parties, for their encouraging response to my outreach to consult on forming a broad-based government. Their willingness to set aside partisan positions and interests in order to join a visionary partnership for the radical transformation of Kenya is a historic gesture of their patriotism,” Ruto said during a state address in the capital Nairobi on Wednesday.
The president also directed all criminal justice agencies to ensure that innocent people who had been arrested during the ongoing protests and those not implicated in crimes were released and charges against them withdrawn.
Ruto also announced several measures to strengthen the fight against corruption.
Amendments will be proposed to expedite the investigation and prosecution of corruption and economic crimes cases and provide for their conclusion within six months. The Witness Protection Act will be overhauled to protect and incentivise whistle-blowers and enhance witness protection.
Ruto said he had consulted with the parliamentary leadership to pass the Conflict of Interests Bill, adding that he would veto any bill that fails to meet the high threshold of integrity and accountability.
The government will also work with lawmakers to enhance legislation to reduce and eliminate imports of goods and products manufactured in Kenya. This, Ruto noted, will promote the country’s value addition, manufacturing, and industrialisation program to create both jobs and wealth locally.
