Interior CS Fred Matiang’i is now at the heart of all government operations after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s surprise decision to appoint him as the chairman of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee.
This has been interpreted by some quarters as a promotion into the position of Prime Minister or Chief Minister in whichever way you might call it. The no nonsense Minister will now be chairing meetings that bring together all Cabinet secretaries, Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki, and Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua.
Matiang’i first came to the limelight during his time at the ICT Ministry when he refused to bow down to the demands of the Mainstream media, who were against the Digital Migration. These media houses had to eat a humble pie and accept to move from analogue, as the minister refused to bow to pressure.
He will however be remembered for the changes he made at the Ministry of Education. He was appointed at a time when Kenyans had an all time low in national exams. Exam papers were leaking days before candidates sat for them. The nonsense Matiang’i cracked the cartels at KNEC and Elimu House. At the end, we now have very few cases of exam cheating.
President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Matiang’i the acting CS in the Interior Ministry after the untimely demise of Joseph Nkaissery. His appointment came at a very tricky moment as Kenyans were about to go into a general elections. He managed to steer the police force during the tumultuous period.
He has spearheaded the changes in the police force under his #Policereforms agenda. The service now have new uniforms and are paid housing allowances. The CS has also promised to crack down on the indisciplined policemen who have been accused of extra-judicial killings.
Before his appointment, Matiang’i was already behaving as a Prime Minister. Last year, he was at the forefront of the introduction of the Michuki Rules, despite it not falling under his ministry. He also helped the Education Ministry successfully administer the national exams.
His appointment is therefore deserved. Some Kenyans think he can be the next President.
Would you vote for Matiang’i as your President?