William Ruto was reduced to a mere spectator in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government in 2019, but the DP is still trying hard to prove he is still relevant as he has now summoned 5 Cabinet Secretaries.
Ruto is set to chair Inter-governmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting on November 22nd.
The meeting which according to reports will be held in Ruto’s Karen home is expected to be attended by top government officials.
The DP invited Cabinet Secretaries Ukur Yatani (Treasury) George Magoha (Education), Peter Munya (Agriculture), James Macharia (Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works) and Charles Keter of Devolution.
The Council of Governors (COG) was also invited to attend the Inter-governmental Budget and Economic Council at Ruto’s Karen residence.
However, it has emerged that there are fears the Cabinet Secretaries might skip the meeting amid the less involvement of Ruto in government following their differences with his boss.
According to the Daily Nation, it is apparent that some of the Cabinet Secretaries will not attend the meeting. Treasury CS Yatani said that he will not make it to the meeting as he will be out of the country.
Additionally, the report said Transport CS James Macharia will also miss the meeting citing that he will be accompanying the president out of the country. It is not yet clear whether Prof Magoha, CS Munya and Charles Keter will attend the meeting.
Ruto has been an outsider in President Uhuru’s government ever since they fell out, and CSs don’t want to associate with the DP.
Uhuru handed Interior CS Fred Matiang’i sweeping powers in 2019 in a move said to undermine Ruto’s influence in government.
In his new role, Matiang’i chairs a key committee on the implementation of development programmes, whose membership includes all Cabinet secretaries, the Attorney General and Head of the Public Service.
The president delegated the powers to Matiang’i in an Executive Order number 1 of 2019, that for the first time hands a CS an expansive responsibility to chair and coordinate government development programmes and projects.
Related: “My Signature Was Forged” Matiang’i Impeachment Motion Cause Sharp Divisions In Ruto’s Camp
