Raphael Tuju Reveals What He Does as CS Without Portfolio

  • President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet appointments in his second term included Jubilee Party’s Secretary General Raphael Tuju who was made a Cabinet Secretary without portfolio.

    The position left many Kenyans confused because it was the first time the title was introduced in government.

    In an exclusive interview with Kenyans.co.ke, Tuju explained that the simplest way to understand his job was to view it from the perspective that the President is at liberty to deploy him to any task.

    Upon further inquiry into the specific duties that he had handled for Uhuru, Tuju revealed that he had been monitoring the government performance against the targets set during the campaign period.

    The Jubilee Party made promises to Kenyans of what we will do in the five years Kenyans gave us the mandate. It is my responsibility to monitor what we are doing to ensure that we are on the right track as per the Party's manifesto. That is why I sit in the Cabinet.

    "My primary responsibility at the moment is to build a credible political Party and also encourage such initiatives that will support peaceful coexistence in Kenya.

    There is empirical evidence that a strong party is a prerequisite to having a peaceful country. This is evident in Africa in instances like South Africa and Tanzania,” stated Tuju.

    The CS further divulged that he represents the president in several meetings that involve sister political parties, giving an example that he had just come from representing Uhuru in the political forum of ANC in South Africa.

    He was instrumental in the reconciliation of Raila Odinga and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.

    Tuju, together with the Jubilee Party vice-chairman David Murathe, was directed to organise the meeting which resulted in the Governor withdrawing her defamation suit against Odinga.