In response to recent youth-led protests, Kenyan President William Ruto appointed John Mbadi as the new Finance Minister on Wednesday, forming a cabinet that includes members from the opposition coalition.
The appointment is part of Ruto’s strategy to address the grievances of young protesters who have been demonstrating across the nation for weeks.
Earlier this month, Ruto dismissed several ministers, a move aimed at conceding to the demands of the protesters.
The youth-led demonstrations had already compelled him to retract a proposed $2.7 billion tax hike, marking the most significant challenge of his two-year presidency.
In addition to the cabinet reshuffle, President Ruto announced plans to propose amendments to Kenya’s anti-corruption and public procurement laws, signaling his commitment to tackling the issues raised by the protesters.