In the latest re-organisation of his cabinet, President Uhuru Kenyatta may have deliberately thrown his deputy William Ruto down the pecking order as he stamps authority in delivery of his Big Four agenda.
Previously, Ruto had stood out as the principal assistant of the Head of State, often insisting that roles among others, include supervising government projects across the country.
"The work of the deputy is to supervise what has been launched by the president. That is what I am exactly doing. I am an errand boy of Uhuru," Ruto had said previously.
The executive order of 2019 has now created a powerful National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee which will among others, supervise, guide, monitor and communicate directly to the president.
With Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i given then nee duties as the head of the committee, DP Ruto may now have little to launch or supervise as 2022 politics take shape.
"Chest thumping has never helped. We have said this more often than not. Matiang'i is the real errand boy of Uhuru. The president has made his point," Nandi Hills MP Alfred Kerer said in reference to DP Ruto on Twitter.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula added: "Whoever chasing you, usually cannot openly tell you to go."
The appointment of Matiang'i as Chief Minister may be the beginning of the fallout between Uhuru and Ruto, with the relationship between the duo said to have deteriorated substantially in the recent weeks.
A fortnight ago, Ruto skipped launching of Mama Ngina Drive Regeneration in Mombasa despite reports that he was to join the president and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In December, a furious Matiang'i accused Ruto of pushing for government tenders in government, something that potrayed their simmering relationship.
Also appointed is Cabinet Secretary Treasury Henry Rotich as Vice Chair. All ministers will seat in the Secretariat along with Attorney General Kihara Kariuki and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.
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