Deputy President William Ruto is surrounded by staff and personnel who he often delegates duties to. However, one name stands out among his aides.
Farouk Teigut Kibet, commonly know as Farouk Kibet, is the most powerful aide as he has called shots around the DP for over the past seven years.
According to an article by The Standard on December 13, 2016, Kibet holds the fate of those seeking Ruto's attention in his hands. Whether at his office at Harambee House Annex or at his posh Karen home.
Kibet has been a thorn in the opposition side ever since Ruto ascended to the office of the DP. On Sunday, October 13, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed accused him of bribing voters in Kibra.
"I have heard that Farouk Kibet is dishing handouts here. That's an election offence. Do not give him a chance to ruin your future," Mohamed rallied.
Ruto's right-hand man has been described as hawk-eyed and a powerful power broker by several local dailies.
In 2016, he was linked to the infamous NYS corruption saga. He went on to confirm that he received Ksh 2 million of the embezzled funds.
In an affidavit submitted to the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), Kibet stated that he received the money as a soft loan from Ben Gethi whom he claimed was an acquittance.
The loyal aide was also mentioned by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, in alleged involvement in the 2007 post-election violence. He was accused of tampering with witnesses.
According to The Standard, Farouk was a member of Kanu Youth wingers in 1990.
Isaac Maiyo, long time and close friend of the DP informed the publication that Kibet was initially against Ruto's political ambitions.
“In 1997, when the DP was coming into politics, he was against us. As a matter of fact, the DP didn’t like him because at some point – and in the rough of politics — he abused us. He could not come to terms with Ruto as a newcomer," Maiyo stated adding that they later convinced him to join Ruto's camp.
The change of tacts earned Kibet a nomination to Wareng County Council as a councillor from 1997 to 2003.
Kibet's loyalty to Ruto is unwavering.
“Essentially, he is a field person who is trusted to a great deal by the DP. He didn’t go far in school, but he compensates for that with his resolute loyalty. Given his obscure credentials, he has nothing to lose and that’s probably why he can afford to be rough on people,” Kipkorir Menjo, an activist in Eldoret town, stated in a past interview.
Majority leader in Parliament, Aden Duale, during the burial of Kibet's father, Paul Teigut Kibet, in Uasin Gishu County on Friday, November 15, 2018, confirmed that it was impossible to secure an appointment with Ruto at Harambee House without going through Farouk.
"There is usually delicious food in the office of the DP at 1.30 pm, but only one person, Faruk Kibet, can stop you from tasting the meal," Duale stated.
