This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
As the Uhuru Kenyatta administration gears up for its next cabinet reshuffle, whispers are emerging that Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i may be on his way out. According to sources, Matiang'i's replacement could be none other than East Africa Court of Justice judge Charles Nyachae.
It's no secret that Matiang'i has been a key player in the Uhuru cabinet, but his rapid rise to prominence has not been without controversy. In fact, his appointment was largely seen as a reward for the Nyachae family's support for Uhuru's re-election in 2017.
However, Matiang'i's tenure has been marked by a series of executive orders that have seen him lose key powers. In 2020, Uhuru issued an executive order that effectively rendered Matiang'i's cabinet coordination office redundant. The order also created a new Oversight and Coordination in Delivery of National Priorities and Flagship programs, which some see as a move to undermine Matiang'i's authority.
But what's behind the push to replace Matiang'i? Sources suggest that the move is driven by a desire to placate powerful interests within the government who have long been opposed to Matiang'i's style of leadership. And with the Chief Justice David Maraga and the Nyachae family both backing Nyachae for the top job, it's clear that the stakes are high.
As the cabinet reshuffle looms, one thing is certain: the future of the Uhuru administration hangs in the balance. Will Matiang'i be sacrificed for the sake of power and politics, or will he emerge from the fray unscathed? Only time will tell.
