GG Kariuki the Minister who realised titles can be deceiving

Charles Njonjo, President Moi, GG Kariuki and Nicholas Biwott attend a church service in Mombasa in 1979. [Archives, Standard]

Godfrey Gitahi Kariuki, more popularly known as G.G, was a close associate of President Daniel arap Moi. Following his election as the Laikipia West MP in 1979, Moi appointed him Minister of State in the Office of the President in charge of National Security and Provincial Administration. As a trusted confidant of the President, Kariuki had expected a Cabinet post, but the one he ended up with was somewhat overwhelming in scope and responsibility. 

He soon realised, however, that his power was in letter not in deed. He found out, for example, that the Special Branch Department that was supposed to be under him reported directly to the President, and although he had to sanction the department’s expenditure, he had no say regarding how the money was used. On many occasions, the Minister in charge of Security learned of decisions made on security matters through the press.