Powerful Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday ahead of the President's trip to China, it has emerged.
Deputy President William Ruto, who traditionally is mandated to see off the Head of State for official trips abroad, was missing in action on Tuesday. An aide from his office says the DP had travelled out of the country for Easter.
“He arrived back in Nairobi on Tuesday night. He was not around, but now he is in charge,” an aide to Ruto said.
Traditionally, the DP leads security bosses to the airport to see off the president as an informal process of assuming powers in absence of the president. Top government officials also participate in such events.
On Tuesday, Dr Matiang'i was captured walking on presidential red carpet along with Chief of Defense Forces General Samson Mwathethe. Dr Matiang'i is a close ally of the president.
In January this year, through an executive order, Uhuru tasked Matiang'i to chair powerful National Development and Communication Cabinet Committee, which is mandated to monitor, supervise and communicate progress of government projects.
ODM leader Raila Odinga had earlier left from the same airport to China, where he was to link up with Uhuru. The two are expected to negotiate Sh368 billion from Chinese government for completion of SGR line Phase 2B.
"Departing for China to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation where I shall make the case for synergies in infrastructure planning and development by embracing international standards," Raila wrote.
The elevation of Dr Matiang'i caused jitters within Jubilee party with a section of politicians allied to DP William Ruto accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta of undermining his principal assistant.