Mandera, Kenya – President William Ruto’s development tour of Northeastern Kenya took an unexpected turn in Mandera County when Farouk Kibet, a close aide to the President, dramatically interrupted Governor Mohamed Khalif’s speech.
In a moment that stunned many, Kibet abruptly instructed the governor to hand over the microphone to the area Member of Parliament, Hussein Weytan. While some in the audience appeared taken aback by the intervention, others cheered as the governor complied.
Farouk Kibet, a shadowy but influential figure within Ruto’s inner circle, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful individuals in the President’s camp, despite holding no official government position. Known for his behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Kibet has drawn both admiration and criticism for his assertive style.
President Ruto’s visit to Mandera focused on infrastructure development, with promises to upgrade key road networks to boost transportation and economic growth. He is also scheduled to visit Wajir and Garissa Counties in the coming days.
However, Kibet’s actions in Mandera were not the only reason he made headlines. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently referenced him while speaking at the launch of the DAP-K party in Nairobi. Gachagua recalled an incident where Kibet—whom he described as a “class six dropout”—allegedly called him in anger, demanding to know why he had remained silent while Senator Richard Onyonka criticized the government over the Adani deal.
Kibet’s growing influence within Ruto’s administration continues to spark debate, with some viewing him as a key political power broker and others questioning the extent of his authority in government affairs.
