KENYA’S president today incorporated the opposition in his new cabinet, appointing four ministers from the main opposition party.

The formation of the broad-based government by President William Ruto is a bid to address governance issues raised in deadly protests.

Mr Ruto appointed the minority leader in parliament and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s party chairman in his new cabinet despite a split in the opposition coalition that saw other parties distance themselves from government talks.

The weeks of turmoil in east Africa’s economic hub have led to at least 50 deaths, 413 injured, the firing of most cabinet members and calls for Mr Ruto’s resignation. 

Protests began with Kenyans’ rejecting a proposed Bill to impose more taxes as millions in the country barely get by amid rising prices.

The president lauded political parties for “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.”

Mr Ruto has promised to make changes in his government that would include cracking down on corrupt officials and those displaying opulence amidst the cost-of-living crisis.

Protester Hanifa Aden wrote on X after the cabinet appointments, “we are the new opposition.”