The functions were handed over to Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi in what seemed as the President’s move to cut Ruto down to size following a fallout with his deputy.
The functions were consolidated under National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee which brought on board all Cabinet Secretaries, Attorney General Kihara Kariuki and the Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua.
In the executive order that sparked mixed reactions, Uhuru heaped powers on Matiang’i, making him a super CS, with sweeping authority that was felt across the country.
This could be a thing of the past should the President-elect Ruto and his deputy-elect Rigathi Gachagua take the reins of power.
Some of the functions Gachagua is poised to reclaim from CS Matiangi include chairing all cabinet meetings that discuss the development projects in the country. This would include general supervisory leadership throughout the delivery circle of all projects.
Gachagua will also take over the lobbying for development projects in the country, part of the key functions which Uhuru delegated to Matiangi in his second term.
He will also monitor and commission government projects initiated and funded by the national government. This means Members of Parliament would go back to flocking the DPs office in Karen to lobby for development projects.
Gachagua will also take over the evaluation of the follow-up duties for resources allocated for priority projects to enure proper use for targeted outcome.
With the new government yet to be ushered in, these functions could return to the second in command’s office as per the constitution in which Gachagua is poised to take over.
In May this year, however, Ruto promised that in his administration, his deputy will be allowed to chair cabinet committee, something which is not provided for in the current constitution unless the president delegates.
Ruto said he would make this happen through a presidential executive order, immediately he is sworn-in.
“I have every intention on my first day in office – and in accordance with Article 21E of the Kenya Kwanza coalition agreement to sign an Executive Order that will provide an expanded role, together with what the Constitution gives, to the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.
Having occupied that office for the past close to 10 years, I believe that the office can serve the people of Kenya better, we can get more output from the office of the deputy president if that office is not cannibalised or vandalised,” DP Ruto stated.
Some of the new roles he outlined included coordinating constitutional commissions and independent offices in the manner that require the intervention of the national government including budget and policy for their operating framework.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
