Rigathi’s tough task cut out

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been given added responsibilities in President William Ruto’s proposed Cabinet named yesterday, which include coordinating county governments.

Ruto issued an Executive Order, outlining Gachagua’s added roles and responsibilities besides being the Principal Assistant to the President.

“As I promised, my deputy is going to be a very busy person,” Ruto said in a statement he read at State House, Nairobi, before unveiling the cabinet.

The Head of State said the Executive Order would outline the DP’s clear responsibilities that will help him discharge his responsibilities as Principal Assistant to the President in accordance with the Constitution.

In the new set-up, Gachagua will deputise the President in executing all presidential functions stipulated by the law.

He will also chair Cabinet committees and oversee the implementation of Cabinet decisions across all ministries and departments.

He also said the DP will coordinate intergovernmental relations between the national government and county governments.

It will include chairing the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC).

Gachagua will also be liaison between the constitutional commissions and independent offices in matters that require government intervention including budgets, policy formation and implementation of their recommendations.

He has also been assigned the role of coordination of planning and supervision of development partners funded programmes and projects.

Gachagua has also been assigned the role of overseeing public sector reforms and other functions the President may assign him from time to time.

Ruto appeared in his assignments to his deputy keeping away from the Jubilee administration’s way of doing things where the second in command had no role to play.

In the second term under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto was left without no role to play after would be his roles were assigned to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.

Although Gachagua is constitutionally recognised as the principal assistant of the President, Ruto – who occupied the office since 2013- promised to enhance its role after being sidelined by the former administration for the past five years.

After falling out with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto was pushed to the periphery of the Jubilee administration and had to contend with insignificant tasks.

With the troubles he faced, Ruto, while on the campaign trail, said he would not make his deputy go through the same treatment, promising to make the office more vibrant and with tangible roles.

 “On my first day in office, I have every intention to sign an executive order, according to Article 21E of the Kenya Kwanza coalition agreement, to clarify the roles of a Deputy President, which will include coordinating Cabinet affairs,” said Ruto when he picked Gachagua as his deputy in May, 2022.

It is expected that Rigathi will be tasked with largely coordinating government projects, implementation of policies, receiving reports and ensuring a smooth working relationship with the counties.

He will also be the central figure coordinating the ministries to be created by the President by the end of next week.

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