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President William Ruto has once again defended his choice to nominate opposition members to his broad-based cabinet.

Addressing a section of residents in Embu County shortly after launching the tarmacking of the 25-kilometre Rukuriri-Kathageri-Kanyuambora on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Ruto reiterated that his decision will unite Kenyans and reduce division between the government and the opposition.

While mockingly referring to himself as Zakayo -Swahili for the biblical character Zacchaeus, who is depicted in the Christian Bible as a greedy tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus, Ruto said the move now allows all Kenyans regardless of their political standing to join him in collecting taxes to raise the country’s revenue.

“Juzi nimeunda serikali ya kuunganisha wakenya wote kwa sababu sitaki fitina tena na mkenya yeyote, ata kama ni kulipa madeni tulipe pamoja, kama ni kutafuta ushuru tutafute pamoja, mimi pekeangu nisiitwe Zakayo, sisi wote tupange mambo ya kutafuta ushuru, kwani pesa natafuta ya Kenya inaenda kwa account yangu? Inaenda kwa account yetu sisi wote, kwa hivyo kila mtu sasa akuje akue Zakayo tutafute hio ushuru pamoja,” Ruto said.

The upgrading of roads across the country guarantees everyone access to resources, opportunities and essential services such as health and education. No part of Kenya will be left behind in this endeavor.

Launched the tarmacking of the 25-Kilometre Rukuriri-Kathageri-Kanyuambora… pic.twitter.com/GnSlZCd0lN

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 7, 2024

The president nominated a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders to serve in his broad-based cabinet.

They include ODM Chairman John Mbadi, who was recently nominated to the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning.

The National Assembly Minority Leader and ODM Secretary of Political Affairs, James Opiyo Wandayi, was nominated to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

Hassan Joho, ODM Deputy Party Leader and former Mombasa County Governor, was named to the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affair whereas Wycliffe Oparanya, a former Kakamega County Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader, was nominated to the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development.