Recently, a direct and public confrontation has emerged from the heart of the government, as ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo emphatically dismissed allegations of presidential overreach in his docket. Kabogo's rebuttal directly targets claims made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, igniting a critical conversation about the true extent of executive influence in high-level appointments and dismissals.
At the core of Gachagua's recent assertions was a pointed accusation regarding the fate of former ICT Authority CEO, Stanley Kamanguya, and the board. Gachagua, currently on a two-month tour of the US, claimed that President William Ruto personally ordered Kabogo to dismiss Kamanguya and the entire board after they had daringly awarded the CEO a three-year contract. The former Deputy President’s statement carried divisive undertones, suggesting that the dismissal was driven by tribal considerations, specifically targeting "that man from the Mt. Kenya region." Such allegations, if left unaddressed, have the potential to sow discord and undermine public confidence in government processes.
However, CS Kabogo wasted no time in delivering a resolute rebuttal. In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 22, he categorically refuted Gachagua's claims. "I want to state clearly," Kabogo affirmed, "the President has never called me regarding the daily operations of the Ministry, not even once in the six months I’ve been in office." He further stressed that his interactions with President Ruto are minimal, confined strictly to official Cabinet meetings. Kabogo underscored his unwavering commitment to executing his duties strictly in accordance with the law, painting a picture of ministerial autonomy and adherence to established protocols, not presidential dictates.
This recent exchange forms part of a broader narrative consistently put forth by the former Deputy President since his own dismissal from office in October last year. Gachagua has frequently portrayed himself as a lone voice of truth within the Cabinet, claiming that other Cabinet Secretaries operate under the implicit control of President Ruto and are "afraid" to oppose directives. In a striking statement on Sunday, November 24, Gachagua asserted, "In the Cabinet, I was the only one who could speak the truth. All others were afraid. When the president stared down at them, they all bowed down," attributing his fallout with the President to his perceived courage in dissent.
CS Kabogo, however, viewed Gachagua’s recent statements as not just false, but dangerously divisive and calculated to tarnish the President’s reputation. He emphasized that there are "no instructions targeting any specific community in Kenya," lamenting the casual manner in which such a potentially divisive statement was made by a former high-ranking official. This highlights a crucial concern about the impact of political rhetoric on national cohesion, particularly when it touches upon sensitive issues of tribal representation in public appointments.
