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President William Ruto continued his call for national unity yesterday, defending his recent inclusion of key Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders in his government.

Speaking after a church service at  the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) St Peter’s Ngambwa, in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, President Ruto emphasized that the time has come for the country to unite and progress together for the sake of development.

His introduction of four ODM lieutenants into his administration has faced criticism for allegedly plotting to weaken the opposition.

National development

However, President Ruto framed the move as a crucial step toward fostering national development.

“Events in our country have given us the opportunity to build a new Kenya,” President Ruto said in Mwatate, during the third day of his whirlwind tour of the Coast.

 “They say unity is strength. We have agreed to walk together because we are a democratic country. Within democracy, there is space to prioritize national interests above partisan and regional ones. This is a chance to unite and generate ideas that can move Kenya forward.”  Urging Kenyans to support the move, Ruto emphasized the current moment as ideal for unity and collaboration.

 “Every situation has its own season, and this is the right time for us to unite, collaborate, and work together. I urge all Kenyans to come together in this season of unity for the betterment of our country,” he said.

He assured that support from opposition members would strengthen his administration’s ability to advance the national development agenda.

“If we can unite all Kenyans and work together to plan our nation’s development, we will have a better country than the one we have now. This is why I have formed a Cabinet that will bring the entire nation together so we can face our challenges together. This way, we shall plan development together, settle the national debt together, and offset our loans together,” Ruto stated.

Ruto’s proposed cabinet includes key figures from the opposition: Suba South legislator and ODM chair John Mbadi as Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury, Unguja MP and leader of Minority in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi for Energy and Petroleum, Co-Deputy party leader and former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, and Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-Deputy Party leader) for the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development.

Celebrations erupted in Mombasa shortly after President Ruto named Joho to his cabinet. From all six sub-counties, Joho supporters thronged the port city in their thousands, celebrating the rise of their pioneer governor to the Cabinet. The city echoed with songs and dances, hailing the first Cabinet member from Mombasa in many years.

Carnival mood

Surprisingly, the carnival mood was largely fueled by the Gen Z populace, whose energetic dances lit up the festivities, a complete shift from the recent antigovernment protests.

“We are here to express our joy for the choice of Hassan Ali Joho because he is a leader we love and celebrate,” said Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe, who led the celebrations. Blaring music and honking horns filled the air as motorists and riders criss-crossed the island, mobilizing supporters.

Celebrations started at Treasury Square, swelling as more people joined from Changamwe, Kisauni, Jomvu, Nyali, and Likoni, creating a sea of humanity. Despite a full month of fervent protests against his government, President Ruto’s tour of the Coast began with a rousing welcome by multitudes of residents, including the youth who had largely taken part in the protests.