When President Uhuru Kenyatta formed the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee on Tuesday, he left out Deputy President William Ruto.
The powerful committee comprises all Cabinet Secretaries, Attorney General Paul Kihara and Head of the Public Service Joseph Kinyua.
To head this crucial organ, the Head of State appointed Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and his Finance colleague Henry Rotich as the vice chairperson.
According to Executive Order Number 1 of 2019, the committee is mandated to supervise the execution of government programmes, projects and the Big Four.
To work alongside Matiang'i's committee, Uhuru established the National Development Implementation Technical Committee which will be chaired by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.
This team comprises of 11 principal secretaries, and, the Executive Order directs, will also co-opt Solicitor-General Kennedy Ogeto and head of Presidential Delivery Unit Nzioka Waita.
In this new lineup, political observers have noted, the Deputy President is nowhere to be found. Ruto is an isolated man.
His once powerful position has been taken over by Matiang'i, turning him into a lame-duck DP.
Now, the big question is: What is next for the man from Sugoi?
"It matters to know what role Ruto now play in this dynamic. When positions are changed, some gain power and others lose," said political analyst Nerima Wako Ojiwa in an exclusive interview with Hivisasa.
The executive director of Siasa Place related Ruto's predicament to that of Kenya's first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who resigned under founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on grounds he was 'unwanted' in the Cabinet.
"He (Jaramogi) felt powerless because ministers were given roles that would normally fall in his docket. That is also how Joseph Murumbi became the shortest serving Vice President in history after his appointment," Ojiwa said.
Ruto is yet to comment on the changes which have sparked a heated debate across the country.
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