Uhuru yet to reveal Davis Chirchir's political fate
Jubilee Party’s chief agent during the August elections, Davis Chirchir, addresses a press conference at Bomas of Kenya on August 4, 2017. He was accused of tampering with IEBC servers to favour Uhuru Kenyatta who was a presidential contender. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Odinga claimed that Mr Chirchir had hacked into the servers of the IEBC.
- Mr Chirchir never responded to the allegations on his role in the elections.
There are big names left out so far in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s new government.
But none stands out like that of Davies Chirchir. The fate of one of Jubilee’s top strategists during last year’s presidential poll remains unknown even after previous speculation that he would land a big role.
The former Energy Cabinet Secretary was Jubilee’s chief agent for the August 8, 2017 General Election and the October 26 repeat presidential poll.
Last year, the President is said to have convinced a reluctant Mr Chirchir, who was kicked out of Cabinet in 2015 over corruption allegations, to join Jubilee’s election team.
Those familiar with his engagements with President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto say there was an understanding Mr Chirchir would be given a top position after the elections.
SECRETARY TO CABINET
At one time, he was linked to the position of Head of Public Service – before it became clear Mr Joseph Kinyua would not retire as earlier expected – then the speculation turned to a Cabinet post that also failed to materialise.
The sources are now pointing to the post of Secretary to the Cabinet that has never been filled since Mr Francis Kimemia, now Nyandarua Governor, even though it is largely seen as ceremonial.
However, a top Jubilee official who requested not be named since he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the President, said Mr Chirchir might not be keen on the position.
“For somebody who once held the powerful post of the CS for Energy, the position of the Secretary to the Cabinet can be considered a considerable downgrade,” said the source.
REWARDS
Other powerful State House positions that have since been filled include that of State House Comptroller, which was taken up by former Nakuru governor Kinuthia Mbugua and Chief of Staff headed by Nzioka Waita.
A State House official, who requested not to be named, said Mr Chirchir could still land a top government job.
He pointed out that there are a number of ambassadorial, Principal Secretary and Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions that are yet to be filled by the President.
“In my view there are no “small” positions in government,” he said.
Other top officials of the party who played a key role in the elections have landed plum state jobs.
TALLYING CENTRE
Jubilee’s secretary-general Raphael Tuju is Cabinet Secretary without portfolio while Ms Winnie Guchu, Jubilee’s executive director and deputy chief agent during the polls, was recently named the CAS for the ministry of Water and Sanitation.
Mr Chirchir, a key ally and political confidant of Mr Ruto, did not answer our calls nor respond to our messages for comment on this article.
Many people who covered the tallying of the election results at Bomas of Kenya on both August 8 and October 26 will remember Mr Chirchir’s quiet presence at a corner of the tallying centre firmly glued to his laptop as the results streamed in.
IEBC SERVERS
The Nasa presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, who disputed the outcome of both elections, claimed that Mr Chirchir had hacked into the servers of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and manipulated the presidential results in favour of President Kenyatta.
Other allegations involved inspecting the printing of election material at a go-down off Mombasa Road.
Mr Chirchir never responded to the allegations on his role in the elections.
