The appointment of Dr Fred Matiang'i as chairman of the powerful National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee did not 'just happen by accident', a source within ODM ranks has claimed.
Dr Matiang'i will now among others, supervise, guide, monitor and communicate directly to President Uhuru Kenyatta on various government projects, a position which makes him an unofficial second in command despite the presence of DP William Ruto.
And the appointment was reportedly reached following consultations between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, who has lately been working closely following their suprise handshake last year.
"The president wants legacy and as ODM, we also want him to have a good record. We decided to back his Big Four agenda that's why we stopped endless politics just for it's sake.
"Jakom (Raila) believes in Matiang'i's ability and in the last few weeks, he advised for his appointment to the post. It's just helping the president to work and nothing else," the source said.
For the better part of festive season, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila met at the coastal strip where it was rumoured that they discussed cabinet changes. Last weekend, they met in Kisumu for several hours.
Days after the March 2018 handshake, there were claims in local media that Uhuru was to appoint Mr Odinga as Chief Minister. However, the latter was appointed as High Representative for Infrastructural Development to AU.
Around July last year, Deputy President William Ruto openly accused Mr Odinga of elbowing him out of Jubilee through the handshake politics.
"You chased me out of ODM and I left in peace. And now you think you'll do it in Jubilee? That won't happen my friend. I am here to stay," he said in Kilifi.
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