Still friends! Uhuru Ruto bromance during anti-corruption event (photos)

When President Uhuru Kenyatta issued more roles to the Interior ministry, many read that to mean Deputy President William Ruto was being elbowed out.

In an executive order dated January 21, Uhuru directed that the Interior CS, a position held by Fred Matiang’i, shall be the chairperson of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee.

The Executive Order did not name anybody to the office but it did allocate the role to an office.

But with the situation that played out at the multi-sectoral anti-corruption conference at the Bomas of Kenya today, the marriage of the duo brought together under the Jubilee umbrella, is still intact.

Deputy President William Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta at Bomas on January 25, 2019. [Photo, Courtesy]

Ruto has downplayed concerns that the elevation of the Interior CS will undermine his role.

“Government officers at all levels should align their operations to the order issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta setting up committees at county, regional and national levels as well as at the Cabinet,” he tweeted.

In his new role, Matiang'i will chair a key committee on the implementation of development programmes.

MPs have dismissed claims that the elevation of Matiang'i was meant to curtail the DP’s powers.