Oparanya, Joho appointed to cabinet as Ruto names second batch of CS nominees

ODM Deputy Party Leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho are among 10 people nominated by President William Ruto to his new broad-based cabinet.

The two former governors are among allies of Opposition leader leader Raila Odinga who has been publicly calling for national dialogue after consultation with the Head of State.

Other notable opposition members Ruto has named to be part of his cabinet are Nominated MP and ODM Chairman John Mbadi who has been proposed to head the powerful Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning while National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has been nominated to head the Energy and Petroleum docket.

"I want to give the people of Kenya an assurance that the government listens to them. For the last month, I have led the government in engaging and listening to citizens from all walks of life as they express themselves in different forums. I have heard you and heard you clearly," Ruto said.

From left: Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga and Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho during a past ODM event. (Photo: ODM)

Familiar faces have also bounced back to the cabinet including Kipchumba Murkomen has been nominated to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Rebecca Miano (Tourism and Wildlife), Salim Mvurya (Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry), Alfred Mutua (Ministry of Labour and Social Protection) and Justin Muturi (Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management.

Stella Soi Langat is the new entrant in the cabinet having been nominated as the CS for Gender, a docket which was previously held by Aisha Jumwa.

Ruto said that once constituted, the new Cabinet will steward the government's transformation agenda in providing effective and efficient public services, expanding opportunities for employment and wealth creation.

"Our collective ambition is to turbocharge the performance of our economy to achieve our universal health coverage, which ensures that no one is left behind or impoverished on account of healthcare costs, offers an equitably funded education system which looks out for learners from vulnerable backgrounds and ensures that Kenyans from all walks of life live in safe and dignified housing, through our affordable housing programme," he said.

The President said for the last month, he has led the government in engaging with and listening to citizens from all walks of life as they expressed themselves in different forums and on various platforms.

“What has emerged as the foremost national concern requiring urgent and decisive action is the vexing matter of corruption and the nonnegotiable desire for accountable leadership and integrity in governance.”