Kenya’s President Courts Rivals to Strengthen Fragile Leadership

William Ruto, the president of Kenya, has added more opposition figures to his government to address the growing unpopularity of his government. This move follows his surprise meeting with former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Earlier, Ruto had included several allies of opposition leader Raila Odinga in his government. Analysts view Ruto’s actions as efforts to stabilize his administration, especially in the politically critical Mt. Kenya region, which turned hostile after the impeachment of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. Over the past two years, Ruto has faced mounting public discontent over rising taxes and worsening economic conditions, culminating in mass protests over a finance bill that would have further hiked taxes. To end the protests, he retracted the bill and dismissed most of his cabinet. He has since appointed a new cabinet, which includes three Kenyatta allies and four Odinga affiliates, in an effort to form a broad-based government.

SOURCE: BBC