Uhuru had no role in my appointment as CS – Kabogo

ICT and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has denied the involvement of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta in his appointment to President William Ruto's Cabinet.

Speaking on Citizen TV, Kabogo dismissed speculations claiming his appointment was sanctioned by Uhuru after meeting Ruto in December last year.

“Kenya is a vibrant nation with rumours and things like that, people just make up things. It came just after the visit of the President to Ichaweri but I can tell you for free, I cannot speak for Mutahi Kagwe or Lee Kinyanjui but I can speak for myself. I'm sure it had nothing to do with that visit,” Kabogo said.

The CS said before his appointment, he received a phone call from President Ruto that lasted less than a minute.

While the President hinted that he was considering him for a role in his government, Kabogo says he did not specifically say the position he was to give him.

Kabogo said the President only mentioned that he was working on something only for him to hear later in the media that he had been nominated as a Cabinet Secretary.

“The former President did not call me, I haven’t spoken to him in quite a while. The only call I got the previous day was from the President and he said 'William I'm looking at things and I think there's something I'm working on'. He didn't say anything else and the next thing I saw it was on the bulletin. I know it's hard to believe but that's the truth," he said.

“I have nothing to gain or lose in terms of telling the truth. That is how it came to me. I was very surprised. The conversation with the president was less than a minute and he said he'd call again, which he didn’t.”

Kabogo added that he was quite surprised to have been picked for a Cabinet role but he is ready and up to the task.

The ICT and Digital Economy CS said he is learning the roles quickly and understands that he is there to offer leadership, which is what he plans to do.

“It surprises me as it surprises you. I am more than ready for this role. My track record is clear that I can serve. I am learning the ropes quickly. The job is quite a task but I am up to it.”