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.
Others 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.
Is Ruto being edged out?