Monday, June 15, 2026
- President William Ruto has revealed that the late former Prime Minister Raila
Odinga opposed his decision to appoint a Cabinet Secretary for the National
Treasury from Luo Nyanza.
Speaking on Monday, June 15th, after receiving a
report from the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) on reparations
for victims of human rights violations, Ruto recalled discussions with Raila
during the formation of the Broad‑based Government.
He said he defied the former Prime Minister and nominated
John Mbadi for the Treasury docket.
“I remember very well, my brother Raila Odinga had a
different opinion of who should be the Minister of Finance.”
“I told him that if there was one place I would defy him,
it was in the appointment of a person from Luo Nyanza to be the first CS or
Minister for Finance,” Ruto stated.
Ruto explained that the move was meant to break stereotypes
that certain positions belonged to specific communities.
“This was to correct a negative profiling of a whole
community; that they don’t care about poverty, or that the economy belongs to
certain people,” he added.
Ruto also announced that the Government had set aside Ksh 2
billion for compensation and reparations of protest victims.
He emphasized that the payments were not a replacement for
lives lost or scars endured, but an acknowledgement of harm.
He cautioned that reparations should not encourage violence
or police brutality.
“The right to protest, picket and demonstrate is not a Government
favour, but a Constitutional right entitled to every Kenyan,” Ruto
affirmed.
The reparations plan was among recommendations in the NADCO
report and formed a key part of the agreement between Ruto and Raila.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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