President Uhuru Kenyatta has moved to reorganize his power axis to reflect a legacy-centered approach and shake off baggage that may have afflicted him in his first term.
Sources within the Presidency say this week’s executive order elevating Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to a super minister is a culmination of a turn-around strategy engineered by about 10 men and women who have taken charge of the legacy dream.Consequently, the President has turned politically ruthless and cold- slamming close allies, disinterested in small talk, and keeping off negative energies that his strategists consider detrimental to his Big Four dream.The core of the team which engineered the executive order and its philosophy is Dr Matiang’i, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Chief of Staff and Head of Delivery Unit Nzioka Waita, National Intelligence Service Director Philip Kameru and political strategist Nancy Gitau.
Formidable forceOthers in this new sanctum of power are the President’s younger brother Muhoho Kenyatta, NASA leader Raila Odinga, Jubilee Secretary General Rapahel Tuju, Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, Private Secretary Jomo Gecaga and State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua.Having identified the Big Four agenda, fight against corruption and uniting Kenyans as some of the pet subjects of his final term in office, Kenyatta is rallying this team around him. Other than the rife talks of Cabinet reshuffle, President Kenyatta readjusted his inner circle.It is not clear where the arrangement leaves Deputy President William Ruto who is the President’s principal assistant.The DP gets intelligence brief on government programmes and projects and sits on the right had side of the President at the Cabinet but his allies have questioned Matiang’i’s new role.
The Interior CS warmed into the President’s power circle with his performance and transformation while at the helm of Education ministry where stakeholders believe he brought order.Though sources indicate that Dr Ruto still remains a confidant of the President despite murmurs of fractious relationship, the entry of Raila into the warmth of government could have complicated things for the Deputy President. Raila occupies a nondescript yet prominent position at the king’s court. So strategic is the Opposition leader’s locale that he can influence a number of decisions in government.Last year, Uhuru appointed a number of people into government boards including Raila’s trusted lieutenants, NASA chief executive officer Norman Magaya and his communication manager Kathleen Openda.As the claims of reshuflle in the Cabinet came up, it was said the opposition leader met with the Head of State in Mombasa to agree on the list.
Last week, the President left his plane on the runway and went to take lunch with Raila on the shores of Lake Victoria.
