Reports suggest the simmering succession wars in the President’s inner circle are linked to the expected departure of Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua in January.
Those aware of the development leaked to the press that Mr Kinyua’s planned exit has sparked a feud that pits Waita against power brokers who want to keep the influential position in Central.
The in-fighting is also partly blamed for the transfer of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) from Waita’s docket to the Interior ministry, apparently an effort to clip his influence.
The situation has forced Waita to take “a sabbatical” leave from office.
Waita is said to have fallen out with his deputy Njee Muturi, State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.
Waita could not be reached for comment as he neither responded to calls nor text messages.
Yesterday, Dr Kibicho said he was increasingly getting irritated with being dragged into every feud in Government. He directed press to Kinyua on matters concerning State House.
“Why can’t you just call Kinyua and ask him whether he is retiring? After that, then call Waita to ask him what you are alleging. Kibicho this, Kibicho that is becoming like an old broken record,” he said.
Kinyua did not respond to our calls and texts.
Mr Mbugua refused to comment.
“No, no, no. No comment, please,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Muturi were also unsuccessful, as he neither answered calls nor responded to text messages.
There were also reports that Waita could have handed in his resignation, citing frustrations from within, although there is still no official communication from State House on this.
When contacted, State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena-Mararo said she was not aware of the developments.
“I am not the appointing authority, and such a brief is not in my docket,” Ms Dena-Mararo said.
Low profile
Waita has not reported to his office for the past two weeks nor accompanied the President on a number of occasions as has been the case in the past.
“It is a concern. Waita has been missing lately. He has taken a low profile and has been missing from a number of presidential functions. Something is definitely cooking at State House,” said a top Jubilee MP close to the President.
Waita’s troubles became public when the Presidential Delivery Unit was moved from his docket to Interior Ministry under Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in an Executive Order in August.
The big-budget docket gave Waita powers to supervise the implementation of mega Government projects, including the President’s legacy priority programmes under the Big Four Agenda.
Given the importance of the projects to the President, running PDU is a mark of Executive confidence and trust. The loss of the docket was perceived in many quarters as a demotion.
courtesy standard
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