President Uhuru Kenyatta's right-hand man is hanging on the ropes amid power struggles within State House. Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita is reported to have cut a forlorn figure at the house on the hill.
The Standard on Friday, October 11, reported that succession wars had engulfed State House. It is alleged that the wars are linked to the expected departure of Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua.
According to the publication, Kinyua's planned exit sparked a dispute between Waita and State House insiders who want to broker power and keep the influential position in Central Kenya where Kinyua hails from.
More reports alleged that the feud led to the transfer of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) from Waita’s docket to Fred Matiang'i's Interior ministry.
The transfer was seen as a move to cut down Waita's power. PDU is one of the prestigious dockets in Kenyatta's government. Within it, one supervises the implementation of mega government projects that are based on the Big 4 Agenda.
Waita is claimed to have taken "a sabbatical" leave from office after allegedly falling out with his deputy Njee Muturi, State House Controller Kinuthia Mbugua and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.
Kibicho played coy upon being sort for a comment.
"Why can’t you just call Kinyua and ask him whether he is retiring? After that, then call Waita to ask him what you are alleging. Kibicho this, Kibicho that is becoming like an old broken record," Kibicho told The Standard.
Waita, who accompanied Kenyatta on many of his official visits, had been absent from the president's side fuelling more controversy.
"It is a concern. Waita has been missing lately. He has taken a low profile and has been missing from a number of presidential functions. Something is definitely cooking at State House," a close source within Jubilee Party informed The Standard.
