UPDATE: October 16, 2020. 2.30pm : President Uhuru Kenyatta received the Report on the State of National Security, Nationhood and Territorial Integrity.
Report covered a wide range of issues, including national cyber projects, geospatial surveys and airborne geophysical projects as well as the National Integrated Information Management System (NIIMS) Programme – (Huduma Namba initiative).
The Report also addressed a number of other areas of national security concern and strategic national interest
On Friday, October 16, President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at the KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani, Taita Taveta County where he is scheduled to chair a Cabinet meeting.
According to photos shared by State House the president arrived in a Kenya Airforce helicopter and was received by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i instead of Deputy President William Ruto as protocol dictates.
Uhuru then greeted DP Ruto who was waiting a meter away as the CS followed closely behind.
A former Presidential Escort Officer explained to Kenyans.co.ke that convention has it that the Head of State should be received by the senior most member of the welcome party.
“The DP should have been the one to welcome the president but you know the circumstances they are in and Matiang’i was given priority,” the former GSU officer stated.
Members of the National Security Advisory Committee, (Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho) were also part of the team that welcomed the president.
Ruto being sidelined caught the attention of Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who satirically tried to explain the photos.
“Deputy President Fred Matiangi receiving the president thereafter introduced other Cabinet members. Those of us who didn’t witness the last days of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta ‘will see things’ in the next 22 months,” Murkomen quipped.
Previously in 2019, through Executive Order No 1 of 2019, President Kenyatta delegated powers to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
With that, the CS was handed an expansive responsibility to chair and coordinate government development programmes and projects.
The announcement drew mixed reactions with some of Ruto allies stating that it was a move to undermine the DP.
On Thursday, October 15, the DP had slammed the NSAC for the cancellation of his Nyamira tour which was scheduled to happen a week prior.
Restrictions imposed by the NSAC required all political gatherings to have the blessings of local police commanders, forcing the DP to postpone his planned tour and comply.
While in Nyamira, Ruto stamped his authority as the deputy president and declared that state actors who were trying to curtail his influence were fools.
However, the photos from President Kenyatta’s arrival showed a stark contrast of a DP who had been sidelined.
At the retreat/meeting, Uhuru is expected to receive progress reports of several national security sector technology projects and preside over an innovation exhibition by young Kenyan techies.
Political pundits also speculated that the Building Bridges Initiative Proposals would be discussed at the meeting.
This was fueled by the summoning of the Parliament leadership on Saturday, October 17.
