Kibaki's party is split over the constitutional review

Mr Kibaki made the announcement in a previously unscheduled TV address.

The new cabinet includes two prominent members of the former ruling Kanu party and the leader of the smaller Ford-People party.

The reshuffle comes two days after Mr Kibaki said that this week's deadline for a new constitution would be missed.

'Ethnic divisions'

In his speech, Mr Kibaki said political divisions along ethnic lines hampered progress with the constitutional review, designed to reduce the powers of the head of state.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL Elected president appoints PM PM appoints cabinet PM leads government and chairs cabinet President remains head of armed forces

"A strong social fabric can never be tailored along narrow ethnic interests. The leadership of Kenya must reflect the entire people of Kenya," he said.

Mr Kibaki also demoted several members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who have been urging him to adopt a new constitution.

LDP leader Raila Odinga was promised the new key post of prime minister in return for supporting Mr Kibaki in the December 2002 elections.

Mr Kibaki had promised to introduce a new constitution within 100 days of coming to power in December 2002, but the deadline then slipped to 30 June this year.

On Monday he announced that the latest deadline would not be met.

He blamed a failure to agree on key issues and court cases but said he remained committed to having a new constitution.

The LDP is planning to hold a demonstration in the capital, Nairobi on Saturday to demand a new constitution.