Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, is one of the most recognized CSs in President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration.
Going by the dockets and responsibilities that Uhuru entrusts him with, Matiang'i comes out as his confidant and right-hand man.
Below are five instances where the president proved that the Interior CS was his favourite Minister.
1.) More Powers for Matiang'i
Twice in 2019, President Kenyatta assigned more powers to the CS, with the latest being an Executive Order dated August 22. The president announced that Matiang'i would take over the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).
The CS was handed more duties such as co-ordinating the delivery of national priorities and flagship programmes as well as maintaining national cohesion and values.
2.) Revolutionizing of national exams
When Matiang'i was Education CS, he was praised for sealing all the loopholes that were exploited in exam cheating.
Even as he tried to clean up the education system, he faced criticism from activists and education stakeholders, who raised concerns over the involvement of armed security to guard the exams.
In June 2019, Matiang'i recalled that the president contacted him, stating that he had entrusted the CS with administering national exams.
"One morning the president gave us an ultimatum about the exams. He told Kipsang (Education PS) and I 'If exams go wrong this year mtafute nchi yenu (look for another country to live in)'," Matiang'i recalled.
3.) Appointed head of all government projects
In January 2019, the president, through an Executive Order, appointed the Interior CS to head all government projects.
At the time, reports indicated that Deputy President William Ruto had been sidelined in the appointments.
4.) Time Uhuru Ordered CSs to Cooperate With Uhuru or Quite
In February 2019, the head of state ordered ministers to co-operate with Matiang'i or quit.
He reminded the 21 CSs that he alone was the appointing authority and he would not hesitate to crack the whip on those sabotaging his agenda.
This was after the president reorganised his government, creating a four-tier executive authority with Matiang'i at the helm, bringing him to the heart of his administration.
5.) Appointed for 2 CS Jobs
After the death of Interior Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Nkaissery, the president appointed Matiang'i to the ministry on an acting capacity.
“I have taken the decision to appoint Dr Fred Matiangi as the acting Interior CS to ensure that there is no vacuum,” the president announced during a televised address from State House, Nairobi.
