Inside Uhuru’s Inner Circle Following 2022 Election Shocker
After ceding power to his successor William Ruto in September 2022, ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta has upheld a tight-knit group of loyal assistants.
Significantly, Uhuru has strategically positioned certain aides within his office and the Jubilee Party to support him in carrying out his political and diplomatic duties.
These are the three individuals who have been assisting Uhuru with his responsibilities ever since he departed from his official position.
Macharia Kamau
Ambassador Macharia Kamau previously served as the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs. He was appointed to this role by President Uhuru in February 2018.
At present, he holds the position of Ambassador and Special Envoy, acting as the East Africa Community Facilitator in the DRC.
Uhuru serves as the EAC Facilitator in the DRC, a position he was assigned to during the transfer of responsibilities at Kasarani Stadium.
As a special envoy working within Uhuru’s office, his responsibility involves guiding the former Head of State regarding the conflict in the DRC.
As per his LinkedIn profile, he assumed the role in November 2022, selected for his extensive background in diplomacy, which includes significant involvement in global diplomacy, such as his tenure as Kenya’s representative to the United Nations.
He possesses expertise in development and policy implementation, strategic planning, negotiation skills, and contributing to UN reforms.
“He is passionate about peace, sustainable development, the blue economy, climate action, and farming. He has written a book and several articles on sustainable development, global negotiations, and diplomacy.
“Ambassador Kamau is a graduate of Wooster College, Wooster, Ohio, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He holds an honorary professorship at Utah Valley University, Utah, USA,” read his LinkedIn profile.
Kamau has attended Uhuru’s important gatherings, such as the recent sessions involving discussions with US Ambassador Meg Whitman and British High Commissioner Neil Wigan.
Kanze Dena
Kanze Dena, previously a journalist and State House Spokesperson, operates from the office of the 4th President.
She plays a crucial role in managing communication at Uhuru’s present office. Like Kamau, she consistently attends important meetings involving high-ranking delegations, such as the gatherings between the former Head of State and ambassadors from the UK and US.
Following the elections, Uhuru implemented a communication approach by establishing X (previously known as Twitter) and Facebook profiles. These accounts serve as platforms to document Uhuru’s political and diplomatic engagements.
From time to time, the communication team of Uhuru informs media outlets about the former President’s activities through email.
Jeremiah Kioni
On the political front, Kioni is among Uhuru’s most trusted aides.
Kioni is presently the Secretary General of the Jubilee Party and has been at the helm of Uhuru’s faction during a period of significant rifts, where two distinct groups assert their legitimacy as the party’s leaders.
Kioni’s ties with Uhuru became crystal clear when the former President stormed the party headquarters to defend Kioni during an attempted hostile takeover by the faction led by Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega.
The SG has been representing Uhuru in key Azimio meetings such as the Parliamentary Group meetings and the National Dialogue Committee technical team.
He was also been tasked with revamping the party as the Uhuru camp strategizes on how to recruit new members across the country. Currently, the party has been holding grassroots meetings and opening new offices.
Inside Uhuru’s Inner Circle Following 2022 Election Shocker
