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| President Uhuru Kenyatta |
PRESIDENT
Uhuru Kenyatta has surrounded himself with a large group of politicians
and businessmen who are helping him make key decisions in running the
country.
Even before he was elected, the President had a number of men, most of whom kept a low profile but were very instrumental in decisions he made along the campaigns.
Though Uhuru likes getting first-hand information from all those who work in government, he, like all his predecessors, has an inner circle of people he regularly consults.
Those around the President say that he is always keen to ensure that he consults widely - in and out of State House - before making key decisions.
"The President, especially likes to know what Deputy President William Ruto thinks about any decision that is to be taken. He literally can't make a decision unless Ruto has agreed to it or has given him his opinion," a State House insider said.
However, even before going to Ruto, the President is said to have a number of distinct groups that advise him on various issues depending on the matter in question.
Publicly, there are men who are seen to be the main advisers to the President including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and senior State House officials.
Most of the
President's political and policy advisers are drawn from persons he has
worked with in Kanu and in the ministries of trade, local government and
finance.
However, there is an "elders club" that advises the President and who he consults often. These are men who were also key in mobilising resources for his campaigns ahead of the elections.
This group is said to be instrumental in shaping the thinking of the President and some of them call him often to share ideas and suggestions on various sectors in the country.
This 'elders club' is said to
be headed by former Kenya Airports Authority managing director George
Muhoho, who is also Uhuru's uncle.
Muhoho is said to have a lot of say in the path Uhuru has taken in his career over the years and continues to do so as he runs the country.
Others who are
reportedly part of this team include Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi,
Family Bank founder Titus Muya, former Gatanga MP David Murathe, State
House Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, former head of civil service Francis
Muthaura and former KenGen managing director Eddy Njoroge.
Muthaura was a key figure in the Kibaki inner circles and has been close to Uhuru for years. The two were co-accused at the ICC over the 2007/2008 post-election violence which they were accused or organising and funding.
The prosecution dropped Muthaura's case while Uhuru's trial is scheduled to kick off on November 12.
Sources say that Muhoho often chairs meetings of this group which also includes a number of other businessmen most of whom Uhuru relied on when working as Finance Minister.
"They usually review the state of the Presidency and also come up with strategies to help Uhuru in his decision-making processes," one insider said.
Uhuru also regularly consults with former President Moi, who is his political god-father. The two have met on severally occasions since Uhuru was announced as the President-elect.
Moi introduced Uhuru to politics when he nominated him to Parliament in 2000 and then went ahead to anoint him as his successor in 2002.
There
are two security chiefs who also have the President's ear - Chief of
Defence Forces Julius Karangi and Director General of the National
Intelligence Service Michael Gichangi.
Despite their perceived differences, Karangi and Gichagi have been instrumental in the decisions that Uhuru has made especially in relation to public appointments.
But among all the security chiefs, Uhuru is said to trust CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro the most and even lobbied MPs heavily to have his appointment approved.
Among the Cabinet Secretaries, Uhuru is said to have a closer ear for Najib Balala (Mining), Michael Kamau (Transport) and Felix Kosgey (Agriculture).
Of the Principal Secretaries, Uhuru is said to be closest to Kamau Thugge (Treasury), Karanja Kibicho (Foreign Affairs), and Wilson Songa (Industrialisation).
The President is also said to have circles of regional advisers made up of businessmen and politicians including current MPs and Senators.
"These groups help the President and his Deputy understand the needs of various regions especially if he is to go visit those areas. This helps him design policies that are customised to these regions," one Presidential adviser said.
The President also gets counsel from Ruto's allies from the URP side of the Jubilee coalition.
The State House
PSCU meetings with the President are also attended by constitutional
adviser Abdikadir Mohammed, Private Secretary Jomo Gecaga and State
House Comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa.
The PSCU team is made up of Manaoh Esipisu (State House spokesman), Maina Kigaga (First Lady's Communication), Eric Ngeno (Speeches), Munyori Buku (Public Communication), Dennis Itumbi (Digital) and James Kinyua (Events).
This team was part of the larger 'Team Uhuru', which was responsible for Uhuru's campaign communication.
The President also relies on his long-time ally, Njee Muturi who is now the country's Solicitor General and was his campaign manager ahead of the March 4 polls.
Former Foreign Affairs PS Thuita Mwangi is also close to the President and alongside UN Permanent Representative Macharia Kamau are among those who advise Uhuru on foreign affairs.
Even before he was elected, the President had a number of men, most of whom kept a low profile but were very instrumental in decisions he made along the campaigns.
Though Uhuru likes getting first-hand information from all those who work in government, he, like all his predecessors, has an inner circle of people he regularly consults.
Those around the President say that he is always keen to ensure that he consults widely - in and out of State House - before making key decisions.
"The President, especially likes to know what Deputy President William Ruto thinks about any decision that is to be taken. He literally can't make a decision unless Ruto has agreed to it or has given him his opinion," a State House insider said.
However, even before going to Ruto, the President is said to have a number of distinct groups that advise him on various issues depending on the matter in question.
Publicly, there are men who are seen to be the main advisers to the President including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and senior State House officials.
 |
| Right-hand man: The Leader of Majority Aden Duale. |
However, there is an "elders club" that advises the President and who he consults often. These are men who were also key in mobilising resources for his campaigns ahead of the elections.
This group is said to be instrumental in shaping the thinking of the President and some of them call him often to share ideas and suggestions on various sectors in the country.
 |
| TRUSTED: CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro |
Muhoho is said to have a lot of say in the path Uhuru has taken in his career over the years and continues to do so as he runs the country.
 |
| CLOSE: Equity Bank James Mwangi |
Muthaura was a key figure in the Kibaki inner circles and has been close to Uhuru for years. The two were co-accused at the ICC over the 2007/2008 post-election violence which they were accused or organising and funding.
The prosecution dropped Muthaura's case while Uhuru's trial is scheduled to kick off on November 12.
Sources say that Muhoho often chairs meetings of this group which also includes a number of other businessmen most of whom Uhuru relied on when working as Finance Minister.
"They usually review the state of the Presidency and also come up with strategies to help Uhuru in his decision-making processes," one insider said.
Uhuru also regularly consults with former President Moi, who is his political god-father. The two have met on severally occasions since Uhuru was announced as the President-elect.
Moi introduced Uhuru to politics when he nominated him to Parliament in 2000 and then went ahead to anoint him as his successor in 2002.
 |
| ADVISER: Former KenGen managing director Eddy Njoroge |
Despite their perceived differences, Karangi and Gichagi have been instrumental in the decisions that Uhuru has made especially in relation to public appointments.
But among all the security chiefs, Uhuru is said to trust CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro the most and even lobbied MPs heavily to have his appointment approved.
Among the Cabinet Secretaries, Uhuru is said to have a closer ear for Najib Balala (Mining), Michael Kamau (Transport) and Felix Kosgey (Agriculture).
Of the Principal Secretaries, Uhuru is said to be closest to Kamau Thugge (Treasury), Karanja Kibicho (Foreign Affairs), and Wilson Songa (Industrialisation).
The President is also said to have circles of regional advisers made up of businessmen and politicians including current MPs and Senators.
"These groups help the President and his Deputy understand the needs of various regions especially if he is to go visit those areas. This helps him design policies that are customised to these regions," one Presidential adviser said.
The President also gets counsel from Ruto's allies from the URP side of the Jubilee coalition.
Businessman
David Langat, Silas Simaywo who is Ruto's personal advisor, senator
Charles Keter, Majority Leader Aden Duale and former House Speaker
Francis Kaparo are also members of Uhuru's inner circle.
At
State House, Uhuru keeps those in the Presidential Strategic
Communication Unit close and holds regular meetings with them even as
early as 6am to strategise and plan. |
| 'ELDERS CLUB' CHAIRMAN: George Muhoho |
The PSCU team is made up of Manaoh Esipisu (State House spokesman), Maina Kigaga (First Lady's Communication), Eric Ngeno (Speeches), Munyori Buku (Public Communication), Dennis Itumbi (Digital) and James Kinyua (Events).
This team was part of the larger 'Team Uhuru', which was responsible for Uhuru's campaign communication.
The President also relies on his long-time ally, Njee Muturi who is now the country's Solicitor General and was his campaign manager ahead of the March 4 polls.
Former Foreign Affairs PS Thuita Mwangi is also close to the President and alongside UN Permanent Representative Macharia Kamau are among those who advise Uhuru on foreign affairs.
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