President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga are currently in China for a series of meetings that will later culminate to the seeking of another mega loan to fund the second phase of the Standard Guage Railway.
While Uhuru is away, it is expected that his Deputy William Ruto will take charge of things back home. However, with the recent elevation of CS Fred Matiang’i, he will also be calling the shots when the President is away.
It is believed that CS Matiang’i has taken charge and is in control of the government.
President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as Chairperson of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee.
The appointment means the no-nonsense CS is now in-charge of delivery of all National Government programmes and projects and reports directly to the Head of State.
The president delegated the powers to Matiang’i in an Executive Order that for the first time in the history of Kenya handed a CS an expansive responsibility to chair and coordinate government development programmes and projects.
President’s Executive Order Empowering Matiang’i was seen by many as a Direct Blow To Dp Ruto.
Uhuru’s move was viewed by a section of leaders as one aimed at undermining DP William Ruto.
African Union envoy Raila Odinga left the country for China to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Co-operation that opened yesterday.
Raila, who is the High Representative for Infrastructure Development for the African Union, will seek to promote practical international co-operation in the areas of roads, railways, ports, maritime and inland water transport, aviation, energy, fibre optics and information and communication technology.
Raila joined President Uhuru Kenyatta, who traveled to China on Monday, in negotiating a Sh368 billion loan to build the second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).