Tension was rife in Kenya on January 30, 2019, as opposition leader Raila Odinga was sworn in as the people's president.
The controversial 90-word long oath was administered by Ruaraka Member of Parliament (MP) TJ Kajwang and fiery lawyer Miguna Miguna, and many expected President Uhuru Kenyatta to arrest the entire group.
However, reports published by the Standard back in August 2019, shed light on the man who advised Uhuru against an all-out retaliation.
His name is Philip Kameru, the Director-General of National Intelligence Service.
The spymaster is also said to have played a significant role in the March 2018 handshake between Uhuru and the former Prime Minister.
Little is known of Kameru - as is the nature of most people in his trade, but he is believed to be one of Uhuru's most trusted confidants.
Uhuru is understood to have given him a second five-year term as Director-General of NIS after his first term came to an end on September 11, 2019.
Kameru, described as a quiet but sharp, is believed to have the president’s ears due to his experience in military intelligence.
The spy chief is also said to have played a major role in matters to do with the war on corruption over the years.
Uhuru has also appointed several spies to head key institutions in the past five years, with the hand of Kameru being seen in the move.
DPP Noordin Haji, Financial Reporting Kenya (FRC) Director-General Saitoti Maika, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai, EACC chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak, Director of Immigration Alex Muteshi are among top spies tapped by the President.
