Azimio Leader Raila Odinga on Sunday asked President William Ruto not to reappoint Cabinet Secretaries that he had earlier dismissed from duty.
In an address dispatched from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Raila revealed that he was opposing the move as a way of showing solidarity with anti-government protests spearheaded by the youth.
The former Prime Minister termed the issues raised by Gen Z including the appointment of fresh Cabinet Secretaries as genuine issues that had also been raised by Azimio in 2023.
The statement from Raila Odinga came a little too late as President William Ruto had already reappointed some of the dismissed cabinet secretaries.
Cabinet Secretaries who have already made a comeback to the Executive include; Kithure Kindiki (Interior Security), Aden Duale (Defence), Alice Wahome (Lands and Public Works), Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport), and Rebecca Miano (Attorney General).
Former Gender CS Aisha Jumwa had also on Saturday campaigned to be reinstated to the cabinet during an event in Kilifi County.
While dismissing the Cabinet Secretaries on July 11, Ruto stated that his decision was based on overwhelming feedback from Kenyans.
In a subsequent Gazette Notice dated July 17, 2024, President William Ruto added that the Cabinet Secretaries had been dismissed due to issues related to accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency.
Raila while disagreeing with the move of recycling the former CSs also demanded the arrest and prosecution of police officers involved in the abductions and killing of protesters.
He further asked the national government to compensate the relatives of those who were killed by the police during the protests.
Notably, Raila also demanded compensation for Kenyans who were either injured or killed during his 2023-led anti-government protests.
Other demands made by Raila included; the unconditional release of all arrested political protesters, dropping all pending charges against protesters and halting abductions and extrajudicial killings of protesters.
