The March 9th handshake that saw Jubilee disintegrate into two factions precipitated Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i to take refuge in the 'safer' side, it has been established.
For the sixth record time, Matiang'i snubbed DP William Ruto's trip to Nyamira and Kisii Counties, raising suspicions about his latest political stand.
And a Jubilee insider, who did not wish to be named, said Matiang'i was compelled to work with a group of team opposed to Ruto's countrywide early campaigns.
"It's just the handshake and he had little to do. He had to side with the team supporting the president's Big Four agenda. You understand that Jubilee divided itself into two.
"He cannot attend Ruto's functions due to strict instructions from the president and his handlers. He is in the side that fully supports handshake," he said.
At Kemera on Saturday, Matiang'i was again conspicuously missing in action and instead, he chose to visit Nakuru.
Early this year, Matiang'i held several functions jointly with the DP precipitating into calls by a section of Gusii leaders to have him run as Ruto's deputy in 2022.
Unlike in the past, Matiang'i nowadays rarely attends fund drives with Gusii MPs backing Ruto but instead chooses to work alone.
"The minister is not campaigning. He's just focused to deliver the president's agenda. Nothing else," says James Oteki, KNUT official from Masaba North who works closely with the minister.
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