It seems President Uhuru Kenyatta has reinvented himself in his last lap of the presidency with a tight kitchen cabinet team that he is pegging his legacy on.
Daily Nation reported on Monday, October 28, that the head of state had reportedly ditched his deputy William Ruto and was now leaning towards former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for a stronger legacy.
The publication further detailed that the president formed his team of eight individuals considered apolitical to ensure that his Big 4 Agenda was on track despite the ongoing 2022 politicking.
This team includes:
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Raila does not hold any government position but since his handshake with the president, he seems to enjoy trappings of power and occasionally visits government projects.
Uhuru has grown to trust in the former prime minister and has since launched a joint project, the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i
Known for his tough stance on government matters, Matiang'i has grown so much from his days as the Cabinet Secretary for Education to become Uhuru's chosen 'super minister' with oversight over all government projects.
Matiang'i now chairs a committee overseeing the implementation of government programmes whose membership includes all CSs, the head of public service and the attorney general in a mandate largely fitting the portfolio of 'prime minister'.
Matiang'i was also made the head of the Presidential Delivery Unit after the docket was hived from Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita at State House and reassigned to the Ministry of Interior by the President.
Karanja Kibicho, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Interior
Just like his boss, PS Karanja Kibicho, according to the publication, works strongly behind the scenes as a sort-of 'super PS'.
He was appointed by the president to chair the powerful National Development Implementation Technical Committee.
Its membership includes; PSs for ICT, Planning, Energy, Devolution, industrialisation, Health, Lands and Physical Planning, Crop, Infrastructure and Transport, Housing and Urban Development, the solicitor-general and any other PS as the need arises.
Kinuthia Mbugua, State House Comptroller
Mbugua is a crucial player to the president's legacy as he is his diary-keeper and hence plays a very integral part since he is the gatekeeper and adviser to the president.
He previously served as Nakuru Governor and Administration Police commandant.
Nancy Gitau, Political Strategist
Gitau was reportedly a key person during Jubilee Party's campaigns and despite claims of her leaving State House, she reportedly still runs Uhuru's political affairs.
She is out of government but the president's team often consults her from time to time, a report by the Daily Nation claims.
Philip Wachira Kameru, Director-General National Intelligence Service
Major-General Wachira runs the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and judging by his contract renewal this past August and his access to the president, he is one of the key players in Uhuru's government.
Daily Nation indicated that intelligence briefs from Wachira alongside those from the Interior ministry play a pivotal role in driving Kenyatta's legacy.
Joseph Kinyua, Chief of Staff and Head of Civil Service
Since he was moved from the Treasury, Kinyua is one of the most trusted employees of President Uhuru Kenyatta and he is the longest-serving.
He has held his position since 2013 and is believed to be the man running the government behind the scenes.
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