Agriculture minister Mwangi Kiunjuri may have on Friday faced the wrath of President Uhuru Kenyatta over alleged incompetence as 2022 succession battle takes shape.
For several months, Uhuru has publicly blasted Mr Kiunjuri, who is believed to be leaning towards Deputy President William Ruto for 2022 contest.
In October last year, Uhuru openly accused Kiunjuri of facilitating payments for wealthy maize cartels, warning that he would crack a whip.
“Mungiriha nimukuona,” the President told Mr Kiunjuri on Thursday at the Nairobi ASK show, which translates to, “If you pay, you’ll be in hot soup”.
He continued: “But I would like to say this because the truth must be spoken. Money for paying maize farmers was in our budget for the previous financial year. And we know for sure that these people from the NCPB, instead of paying the maize farmers who have toiled so that they could get some little money to educate their children, they decided to start by irregularly paying the powerful suppliers and importers.”
A furious Uhuru further promised to take actions against officials who were reportedly subjecting farmers to unnecessary torture after delivery of their commodities.
“I promise you … and I swear before God, you try that again and you’ll see what is going to happen to you. We don’t want these jokes anymore.”
And on Friday, Uhuru chopped the Irrigation department from Kiunjuri's ministry, placing it under water docket, a further indication that he is not convinced with the minister's leadership.
For Immigration, Uhuru moved it to Matiang'i's docket after the transfer of Major General Gordon Kihalangwa to Defense ministry as PS.
“There is compelling need to orientate the scope and mandate of various ministries, State departments and State Agencies (MDAs) to expedite the ongoing implementation of the transformative vision for a better Kenya espoused as the Big 4 Agenda,” read the order.
The president justified the changes, saying they will help improve efficiency of delivering the mandate of his office.
“My administration is committed to enhancing efficiency, transparency, accountability and operational autonomy through a governance structure that ensures rapid delivery of public services to Kenyans in every part of the Republic,” said Uhuru.