(Kennedy Mong'are Okong'o was the first Nyamira senator and the National Liberal Party leader)

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The new Executive Order No 2 by President Uhuru Kenyatta promoting Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i is the new talk of the town.

Matiang’i, according to the Executive Order will be in charge of monitoring and coordination of all government projects.

His new role is reminiscent of the powers once held by retired, powerful minister Mzee Simeon Nyachae.

During retired President Daniel Moi's regime, Mzee Nyachae was one of the no-nonsense Nyayo loyalists.

Nyachae rose from the ranks of a clerk, District Officer, District Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner to the all-powerful Chief Secretary coordinating government programs.

This gave the Omogusii one of the coveted positions during the Nyayo era.

The Gusii community indirectly benefited from this elevation as Mzee Nyachae never tolerated tribalism and gave all Kenyans equal rights.

Politically, it did cost him the much-needed gravitas when he ran for the presidency in 2002.

With Matiang’i’s broader and enhanced role now, a number of scenarios will definitely emerge.

Since he joined the government in 2013, he has not done much for the community in sharing of the national cake politically speaking.

There are complaints galore on how he treats his kinsmen vis-a-vis other government officials who gravitate towards their 'community ' in sharing the national cake within legal confines.

The second scenario; observers argue that in the event the CS who is a civil servant harbours political ambitions, he should first deliver locally in Gusiiland because as the old adage goes, “all politics is local”.

In this case, Matiang’i must rethink his strategy and lay political ground to either run in Nyamira or Kisii County in the 2022 gubernatorial race.

The third and final scenario is; just like Mzee Nyachae, Matiang’i will face a silent rebellion from political quarters.

The CS will, in this case, face mounting rebellion from Deputy President William Ruto and his handlers who allegedly see his enhanced status as an affront to his perceived political inheritance. 

His elevation has given a new path to political brokers and he must be prepared to face all sorts of challenges, resistance and more enemies. 

But as a man of faith, history will judge him when all is done.

For now, though, congratulations will be in order at this point for Matiang’i on his appointment and thanks to the appointing authority, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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