Kenyan leader appoints new government including opponents

Kenyan president William Ruto has appointed new cabinet including four opposition members, following nationwide anti-tax protests in the country.

President Ruto on Wednesday nominated four members of the main opposition party to a “broad-based” cabinet he promised in response to nationwide protests.

In a speech from his official residence, Ruto called the new government “a visionary partnership for the radical transformation of Kenya” and thanked those who had consulted on its formation for the “historic gesture of their patriotism”.

But activists criticised the new government as a corrupt bargain.

They said the unity government would perpetuate a tradition of leaders co-opting the opposition at the expense of the population.