Powerful Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i has been chairing weekly Cabinet meetings for some time now, the Star publication has claimed.
According to the paper, President Uhuru Kenyatta handed over powers to Dr Matiang'i a couple of months ago and only shows up whenever there is a sensitive matter on the table.
Cabinet sittings are held every Thursday and are constitutionally supposed to be chaired by the Head of State. Deputy President William Ruto is also part of the cabinet.
"The Cabinet meetings [are held] weekly under Matiang'i to assess the implementation of all government agendas. The President only chairs the meeting when there is a major issue like the budget or a crisis," a Cabinet Secretary confided to the Star.
Last week, Dr Matiang'i refuted claims that the cabinet was divided following claims that a section of it's membership was plotting to assassinate DP William Ruto.
Peter Munya of Trade, Sicilly Kariuki of Health, Joe Mucheru (ICT) and James Macharia of Roads were directly linked to the plot. But detectives have since dismissed the letter as fake.
"We have had people talk of a divided Cabinet. That is false. We are working together; you have seen us in different government engagements," he said in Nyeri County at the burial of ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru's grandmother.
Early this year, President Uhuru Kenyatta through an Executive Order promoted Dr Matiang'i as chair of powerful National Development and Communication Cabinet Committee.
Among others, Dr Matiang'i was tasked to monitor and supervise all government projects and communicate the same to the president. Previously, the task was performed by the DP.
“The composition of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee and other specified committees for delivery and oversight of national government development programmes and projects shall be organised as set out in the structure detailed in the schedule hereto,” read part of the order.
According to the constitution, all Cabinet Secretaries are directly responsible to the president of the country. But the current state shows that Uhuru's level of confidence on Matiang'i has gone to another level.
“Cabinet secretaries are accountable individually, and collectively, to the president for the exercise of their power and the performance of their functions,” Article 153 (2) states.
Despite the new developments, it's not clear whether or not DP William Ruto takes part in the weekly Cabinet meetings. Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua briefs the president on decisions taken by the cabinet.