This archive report was first published on 24 August 2019.
On August 24, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta issued Executive Order Number Six of 2019, enhancing the power of Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
The order merges the State Department for Interior and the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to establish the State Department for Interior and Citizen Services, which will be domiciled within the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government.
By virtue of chairing the Cabinet Committee on Development, Dr Matiang'i is seen as a 'super minister' with significant influence over national priorities and flagship programmes.
Earlier in the year, Mr Kenyatta appointed Dr Matiang'i Chairman of the National Development Implementation and Communication Committee, putting him in charge of all CSs.
The move further solidifies Dr Matiang'i's position in initiating, launching, and supervising development projects, a key area of focus for Deputy President William Ruto ahead of the 2022 elections.
However, the elevation of Dr Matiang'i has sparked concerns among DP Ruto's allies, who accuse a cabal of State functionaries led by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho of running a campaign to stop his presidential bid.
Additionally, the Cabinet has been hit by reports of some CSs allied to the DP boycotting sessions chaired by Dr Matiang'i, forcing the government to clarify that all was well within the Executive.
As the country prepares for the next elections, there is fear that the toxic environment will gain more currency, with those allied to Mr Ruto in the Cabinet strongly coming out in his support.
President Kenyatta has also re-arranged the Executive, merging the Irrigation department with the State Department for Water and Sanitation to establish the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, headed by Mr Simon Chelugui.
Observers say this move is long overdue, and some see Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri as a casualty of the changes, given his strong support for DP Ruto in Central Kenya.
Dr Matiang'i will also lead efforts to achieve national cohesion at a time when the country is staring at a possible referendum drive after the Punguza Mizigo initiative got the nod of the electoral body to go ahead and convince the 47 county assemblies to ratify its proposal to alter the laws of the land.
