11 People President Uhuru Kenyatta Hangs Out With in Private

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President Uhuru Kenyatta enjoys a hearty moment during a virtual meeting at State House on Tuesday, July 14, 2020
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President Uhuru Kenyatta has carved a niche as one of the most outgoing and easy to relate with head of state.  Kenyatta has surrounded himself with various friends and close allies, from politicians, musicians and school mates.

Herein are over ten people he hangs out with during his private time, demonstrated from secret meetings, personal phone calls and close relationships.

Raila Odinga

ODM leader Raila Odinga's relationship with Kenyatta has a long history, from family ties to political feuds. However, the two usually insist on being close friends and 'brothers'.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and ODM party leader Raila Odinga shaking hands outside Harambee House on March 9, 2018.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and ODM party leader Raila Odinga shaking hands outside Harambee House on March 9, 2018.
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The Building Bridges Initiative signalled how close they were, from a series of private meetings that ended the tensions that arose after the controversial 2017 General elections to several meetings to chose Cabinet Secretaries and initiate changes in Parliament.

In June 2020, Kenyatta reportedly chartered a private plane for Odinga to undergo surgery in Dubai. The plane reportedly cost Ksh 1 million per hour. 

Jimmy Kibaki

Jimmy is the son of former President Mwai Kibaki. He attended St Marys High School where they became great friends with Kenyatta after they were punished by an Irish priest at the school.

In 2016, Jimmy recalled the incident and reiterated how close the two have been ever since. 

The Kibakis and Kenyattas have maintained a close relationship since before independence. Mwai Kibaki is Kenyatta's godfather and suggested the name Uhuru when the President was born in October 1961. 

CS Fred Matiang'i

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i was elevated by Kenyatta who delegated him to take charge of Cabinet meetings in 2019. Matiang'i is also one of the most trusted CS within Kenyatta's cabinet.

The CS has been at the forefront of pushing the President's agenda and has been severally accused of staging witchhunts against DP Ruto allies.

In June 2019, Kenyatta broke security protocol and drove off with Odinga and Matiang'i to Kisumu Yacht Club for entertainment. 

Kitili Maluki Mwendwa 

He is the son of former Chief Justice, the late Kitili Mwendwa.

Maluki met Kenyatta in Mombasa while the President was visiting his father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Maluki's father was a close aide of Kenya's founding President.  The head of state and Maluki, who tried his hand in Ukambani politics but lost in 2017, remained close friends.

Njee Muturi

 

He is the Deputy Chief of staff at State House, a position he was promoted to after serving as Solicitor General. 

Muturi is also an alumnus of St Mary's School and is a key figure in the President's political career. He served as Kenyatta's personal assistant for 11 years, before joining the public service.

Richard Ngatia 

He is the owner of Galileos, a popular entertainment joint in Nairobi. A source who spoke with Kenyans.co.ke in December 2019, detailed that the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President is a close ally of Kenyatta.

The two meet privately for social engagements together with other members of his ‘boys club’, from time to time.

Gideon Moi 

Kenyatta and Gideon Moi have maintained a long-standing friendship, brought about by their family and political ties.

The head of state was the key figure at the funeral of Mzee Daniel arap Moi, Kenya's second President in February 2020. During the funeral, he disclosed how the two were maintaining their friendship. 

Gideon Moi's KANU also signed a pact with Kenyatta's Jubilee and analysts argued that he was poised to succeed the President. Gideon's relationship with Kenyatta served the latter's friendship with Deputy President William Ruto, who is seemingly isolated from government. 

A photo of President Uhuru Kenyatta when he condoled with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi at Kabarak following the death of Jonathan Moi, in April 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta when he condoled with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi at Kabarak following the death of Jonathan Moi, in April 2019.
PSCU

Stanley Kinyanjui

He is the owner of outdoor advertising giant Magnate Ventures. 

The entrepreneur is among President Uhuru Kenyatta's close friends, whom he hangs out with in private and was a formidable force behind his 2017 re-election.  

He was one of the members of the Friends of Jubilee Foundation that was hell-bent on coming up with funds to oil the Jubilee Party's bid to retain power.

David Murathe 

Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe has been accused by several politicians of purporting to speak on behalf of the President. Murathe is one of the key figures in the head of state's circle and a BBI proponent. 

Murathe served as chairman of the Uhuru Kenyatta (UK) Centre which campaigned for Kenyatta in 2013. He was also the brainchild behind Kenyatta and Ruto's union and he is the same force blamed for their divorce with Ruto's allies. 

After the death of popular Kikuyu musician John DeMathew in August 2019, Kenyatta called Murathe to confirm the sad news, after the head of state was notified of the artist's demise by media personality Njogu wa Njoroge. 

Njogu wa Njoroge

In August 2019, Kameme TV presenter, Njogu wa Njoroge, recounted how he informed President Uhuru Kenyatta about the death of legendary benga musician, John DeMathew. 

Njoroge detailed that he called Kenyatta at midnight to inform him that DeMatthew had passed away after being involved in an accident. 

"That is when I learnt how Uhuru held DeMathew close to his heart. He flew into a rage and asked 'what are you talking about? Do you understand what you are saying?," Njogu narrated.

William Kabogo

"President Uhuru Kenyatta is my close friend and we speak from time to time. If I get hold of him, I'll ask him not to push for constitution change but to provide for Kenyans. When he retires, we can hang out and enjoy some good time in our county Kiambu," former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo stated in an interview with comedian Felix Odiwour (Jalang'o) on June 19. 

The two met in Mombasa during their childhood.  Kabogo’s father was a senior civil servant at the coast and a close confidant of Mzee Kenyatta.

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File image of former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo (left) with President Uhuru Kenyatta (right)
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