Leaked information has exposed Orange Democratic Movement leader, Raila Odinga's, next powerful position in President Uhuru Kenyatta's current government.
On Friday, May 8, a number of political analysts who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke raised questions on Kenyatta's relationship with Odinga, with one arguing that the new case of ODM MPs ganging up against Kenyatta indicated that Odinga was pushing for a position in power.
"Raila is being impatient and reports allege that he wants Kenyatta to create a position for him in government, a chief secretary role," analyst Martin Andati stated.
A report by The Standard, on Saturday, May 9, detailed that there have been secret meetings between Odinga and Kenyatta, with looming changes in the Cabinet soon to be announced.
According to the new power lineup, Odinga could be announced as Chairman of the Economic Recovery Team.
He will have an office at Harambee House, which houses Kenyatta's official office, and will also have Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs), Principal Secretaries (PSs) and parastatal heads report to him.
Kenyatta, on April 16, stated that the government was considering how it would revive the economy after the Coronavirus pandemic is curbed, revealing that the government was engaging the developed nations and several stakeholders to come up with various plans, dubbed Post-Covid-19.
"We are working towards formulating Kenya's Post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan and we will be engaging all stakeholders in engineering economic policies in light of this crisis. The countries with the largest economies in the world are also in discussion with us on the issue of suspension of debts for a period in order to allow us to spend more in combating Covid and economic recovery. Our legislators should also consider proposal forwarded to them in the National Assembly," Kenyatta stated.
On Friday, May 8, Jubilee Vice-Chairman David Murathe shed more light into the looming changes which Kenyatta and Odinga last discussed on the night of the very same day.
"Very soon, we shall have new formations which will unite Kenyans from all corners of the country irrespective of their political inclinations or the language they speak," Murathe stated.
"Formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) is being prioritised partly to deal with Covid-19, but also with the expectation that it could lead to a non-contested referendum in which constitutional change is achieved via consensus," an anonymous source added.
Deputy President William Ruto's allies have been crying foul over the looming changes, as Kenyatta's ally, Tiaty MP, William Kamket alluded that the changes are inevitable, adding that the Head of State was punishing the DP and his staunch supporters for constantly attacking him.
"The president has been quiet when they make noise, attack him and now it is time to act. He has waited for them to make true their threats and to walk out but they are hesitant. It is now time to kick them out, and it will happen very soon," Kamket stated on May 3, 2020.
However, Jubilee Nominated MP David ole Sankok, while speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on Saturday, May 9, argued that the President was within his constitutional rights to change the Cabinet, and as a member of the National Assembly Appointment Committee, he would vet the nominees, including Odinga without bias.
"As a Jubilee member, I would ensure Odinga's name sails through, if he is qualified. I will ensure that he is vetted without bias. However, for saying that Ruto is being sidelined and his allies punished, remember that Kenyatta and Odinga are working towards the Big 4 Agenda, which would aid Ruto to be part of the government in 2022 as he and Uhuru will have evidence of work done by Jubilee.
"Uhuru will support Ruto in 2022. I have no issue whatsoever with Raila or any other individual being part of the Cabinet as the constitution allows anyone who is qualified, who declares their wealth, is over 18 years and has a certificate of good conduct to be nominated," Sankok defended.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, Kipchumba Murkomen, and digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, Ruto's loyal supporters, have been involved in numerous public spats with political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi, alleging that the former University of Nairobi lecturer too had landed a role at State House.
The report by The Standard added that Ngunyi's title has not yet been reached at, but he reportedly would be given an office which was previously occupied by State House Administration Secretary.
Odinga's office declined to comment, directing questions to State House.
