Kenya president pledges 'broad-based' cabinet amid crisis

Kenya's embattled president has announced a plan to form a new "broad-based government" following weeks of deadly anti-government protests sparked by an unpopular tax bill.

However, six of the 11 ministers President William Ruto proposed in Friday's address were from the cabinet he sacked just last week.

When dismissing that cabinet, Mr Ruto had said the move came after "reflection and listening to Kenyans"

On Friday, he said the "crisis" Kenya was experiencing was lesser than the "opportunity" before the country.

The demonstrations began as a response to the tax rises but after the government withdrew these proposals, the predominantly young protesters broadened their demands.

Recently, they have been calling for President Ruto to resign.

After Mr Ruto sacked his cabinet last Thursday, Kenya's police chief resigned.

Human rights groups had accused police of shooting dozens of protesters, some of them fatally, and abducting or arbitrarily arresting hundreds more.

On Friday, Mr Ruto said the 11 ministers he proposed were a "first batch" that would have to be approved by lawmakers in the National Assembly before being appointed.