Piece by: The Star Reporter

11 October 2022

• None other than Gachagua himself exposed Farouk's grip of influence, hailing him for his suave organisation and management style.

• Analysts say Farouk is the reincarnation of Mbiyu Koinange and Nicholas Biwot in modern Kenya, yet without a political office.

Kenya's presidents have always had a few powerful men who wield total authority and unquestionable power around them.

While some of the individuals either occupied political or appointive offices, others immaculately built their influence within State House through friendship and utmost loyalty.

Farouk Kibet, the former Wareng councillor, is undoubtedly a super power man in President William Ruto's administration. Farouk is loved and loathed in equal measure.

Without a formal political or appointive office in State House, Farouk calls the shots in Ruto's circles and is the President's right hand man.

Analysts say Farouk is the reincarnation of Mbiyu Koinange and Nicholas Biwot in modern Kenya, yet without a political office.

Kenya's post-independence era had given birth to Koinange, who rose to be the suavest and most powerful politician in the 15 years that Jomo Kenyatta ruled.

Unlike Koinange and Kenyatta whose friendship blossomed while they schooled together at Githunguri Independent Teachers College, Farouk's camaraderie with Ruto is exceptional.

The President and Farouk met in the murky waters of politics in 1997 as Ruto plunged into elective politics.

The President, who was actively involved in the infamous YK92 - a ruling party youth wing that was campaigning for Moi after the advent of multiparty democracy - was running to be Eldoret North MP.

Farouk would later become Ruto's aide as he served as MP until 2002, when the President aided his nomination as a councillor for Wareng' ward in Uasin Gishu.

Just like the Kenyatta era that produced Amos Kariithi as another powerful person outside politics, the Ruto administration has Farouk as the best illustrator of power.

During Kenyatta's administration, Kariithi, then Head of the Civil Service, would single-handedly craft the Cabinet.

But unlike Kariithi who was trusted to handle Kenyatta's government affairs only, Farouk looks like he straddles both politics and executive power.

Indicative of Farouk's influence, the former councillor on Sunday hosted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for a church thanksgiving service at his backyard.

In the event that was attended by high-ranking Kenya Kwanza politicians including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Farouk gifted some of them high-grade cows.

It was the magnitude of the event that exposed Farouk's raw power in the Ruto administration.

“Farouk's office is that of the President of Kenya because you can't access the President if Farouk says no. Even the Deputy President, who is my friend, to reach him Farouk must say yes,” said Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

In jest to signify Farouk's influence, Nyoro and other Kenya Kwanza politicians painted a picture of a man wielding immense power.

None other than Gachagua himself exposed Farouk's grip of influence, hailing him for his suave organisation and management style.

Speaking at the service organised by Farouk at Koilel Primary school in Uasin Gishu county, Gachagua wished he would get "my own Farouk".

“In our victory he (Farouk) really contributed immensely. Farouk planned almost everything from planning our helicopters, breakfast so that no visitor leaves without taking something, talking to people well, Farouk contributed in a big way. We thank you (the people of Uasin Gishu) for your son,” he said.

“In cases he was a bit firm, know that it was not out of ill intention. He was ensuring everything goes as planned. We want to apologise on his behalf.”

During the campaigns, Farouk moved out of the shadows and was all over managing Ruto's political events and rallies.

He would often be seen controlling speakers and operations at such events and often lined up politicians at the podium, deciding who would speak and in what order.

During the UDA national delegates convention held at Kasarani gymnasium, Farouk would be seen dashing to the podium to give party chairman Johnson Muthama some instructions.

He stood behind every speaker, presenting him as the man in charge.

During the unveiling of the UDA party leader’s running mate, he was also in charge hovering around to make sure nothing went amiss.

When Ruto was due to make his address at Karen after the Supreme Court upheld his victory, Farouk was shepherding the President-elect’s children to the podium and shuffling guests during the photo session.

In the Moi era, the second president never allowed his aides to wield the power that Koinange or even Charles Njonjo had.

However, there was Nicholas Biwott who cultivated his close links with politicians around Moi to rise within the ranks as a politician and a confidante.

As Minister of State, and later Energy, Biwott became a member of a small group that had Moi’s undivided attention.

Another was Joshua Kulei, a former prison warden who became Moi’s personal assistant and who largely handled Moi’s business interests.

This shows that unlike the power enjoyed by Koinange in the Kenyatta reign, Kulei enjoyed a special place.

Later, Moi tapped some of his allies from his Baringo backyard and brought them into the limelight as confidants.

The most memorable include Hosea Kiplagat, Ezekiel Barng’etuny, and Mark Too — a court jester who would tickle Moi to ease his political pains.

In the civil service, the only equivalent of Kenyatta’s Kariithi was Hezekiah Oyugi who while serving as the Permanent Secretary for Internal Security eclipsed then Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Joseph arap Leting.

In the Kibaki administration, Chris Murungaru and Kiraitu Murungi became the most powerful individuals. However, the man who had raw power was Nick Wanjohi, his private secretary.

The immediate former President Uhuru Kenyatta had a number of people who pulled strings in various sectors, including his private secretary Jomo Gecaga.

There was also Nancy Gitau who handled the political arena.

Farouk perfectly fits the unwritten script of individuals who have wielded massive powers around Kenyan presidents in post-colonial era.

In 2018 during the funeral of his father, then majority leader Aden Duale heaped praises on the man terming him an engine in Ruto's team.

"When you see these MPs praising him don't think it's a joke. They want to make him happy so that things run smoothly. Farouk is the engine amongst us," Duale said amidst a laughter from the gathering.

Farouk comes from a humble family background in Kapkechui village, Chepsaita, Turbo constituency on the border of Uasin Gishu and Kakamega counties.

He is the son of Paul Teigut who died in 2018.

Farouk attended Chepkemel Primary School and later pursued other education programmes privately.

In the 1990s, Kibet was an activist in Eldoret town where he mingled with all kinds of politicians.

When Ruto was the DP, Farouk, who is a highly religious man, supported churches through fundraising.

In the last three years, he has organised and supported more than 100 churches in the region.

Two years ago, while attending a fundraiser in Trans Nzoia, he saw a poorly done mud house in the area and was told that it was a church.

He asked residents to call the pastor to see him at the event. When the pastor arrived, Farouk said he was shocked to learn that the mud house was a church.

“I know God likes humility but let’s have that church done in a better way so that worshippers can praise God in a better environment,” Farouk said.

He then donated Sh300,000 and followed up to ensure the church was modernised.