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Deputy President William Ruto has claimed that Interior CS Fred Matiang’i will be reporting to him in his newly appointed position as the Chairperson of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee.
Ruto spoke during an interview with BBC Hardtalk where he was asked whether Matiang’i's appointment translated to him being sidelined.
The DP said the talk of being sidelined was being peddled by people who were not aware of the operations in government.
“Those sideline stories, are stories that have no basis at all. The functions of a deputy president are in the constitution, the president and I agreed on how to make the government more efficient and to deliver. His (Matiang’i) committee is a cabinet committee. That committee reports to the president and myself.”
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“How on earth can you talk about sidelining if the same committee ultimately reports to the president and myself?” the deputy president asked.
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Executive Order
Ruto’s statement seemed to contradict the executive order given by President Uhuru Kenyatta which made no reference to the DP, and directed Matiang’i to directly answer to the head of state.
“The sub-committee will oversee implementation and monitoring of all development projects started and funded by the national government and should report to the president,” President Kenyatta directed.
Some of Ruto’s allies had initially opposed Matiang’i’s appointment but appeared to change tune after the DP indicated support for the new structure of government.