Farouk Kibet: The infamous ‘Hand of the King’ whose iron fist controls President’s diary

Farouk Teigut Kibet, the President’s personal aide, elicits more terror, veneration, and genuine amazement than anybody else in the William Ruto administration.

Kibet is an enigmatic figure whom some have labeled Kenya’s co-president. Kibet, a maestro of statecraft, has emerged as the President’s most powerful tool, a frightening behemoth whose every word is law.

He rides roughshod through the Golden State House hallways, taking no prisoners and laying out the government’s goals in no uncertain terms.

Since Ruto’s rise to power, Kibet has steadily become the embodiment of state power, appearing to be directly behind all of the government’s strategies.

His ability to mobilise and run the show has come in useful in a plainly disastrous administration.

Many people who have spoken about him have compared him to Nicholas Biwott, the so-called ‘Total Man’ who ruled the Moi era with unlimited power and unwavering reverence.

Biwott became such a famous figure that his legend still echoes through the streets decades after the KANU regime’s humiliating demise.

Kibet, like Biwott before him, has skillfully positioned himself as the man who eventually has the President’s ear.

The man whose edicts everyone must follow; a man who not only runs the show but truly is it. From former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Kibet has been identified as the guy in charge at the State House.

A man who is deeply involved in the President’s public agenda and is in charge of ensuring that even the most basic of Ruto’s initiatives are carried out perfectly.

In public, he usually wears his trademark scowl, as if his mind is still a tangle of last-minute ideas he wants to put into action.

He examines the crowds, darts his gaze, and scrutinizes the speakers with meticulous attention.

Kibet can be seen hurrying to take care of the emerging chaos at some events, which tend to turn messy with discordant movements, bulging crowds, and an apparent disregard for protocol.

He gestures wildly, issuing commands and personally chaperoning senior government officials, evidently miffed at the senseless moments of disorder.

In a candid interview with KTN on Monday night, former DP Gachagua accused Farouk Kibet of wielding disproportionate power over the administration, making it impossible for State officials to carry out their jobs properly.

Gachagua went on to say that Kibet and Dennis Itumbi had fostered division and frustration within the administration, weakening the government’s ability to function.

“Farouk Kibet is not a small person. Ministers tremble in his presence. He wanted to run my office, and that is when we differed,” Mr. Gachagua said.

“He wanted to turn my office into a corruption den, and I told him off. The government of [President] Ruto is run by Dennis Itumbi and Farouk. They work in cahoots with the President.” He added, “He is a co-president in this country, and he runs the government.

Everybody reports to him, the IG of Police, Head of Public Service and Cabinet Ministers. William Ruto issues instructions to Cabinet Ministers through Farouk Kibet.”Despite some of the claims made against him by other leaders, some of whom spoke highly of him, Kibet has never addressed the controversies in the media.

He likes to remain in the shadows, where he has continued to wield enormous power and maintain unwavering control over the President’s leadership.

At a past public rally, Kimani Ichung’wa said of Farouk, “You may be seeing a simple village man. Someone who played football here and became a councillor. “But go to Nairobi, and you will know who Farouk Kibet is. In fact, go to State House, and you will know who Farouk is.

If he decides to close the doors, you are not going in, including Ministers…”Online, recordings continue to emerge showing the President’s personal assistant running the show, publicly hurling himself into situations and pulling top leaders around, his royal impatience looming big.

During a visit to the Ngeria TTI in Uasin Gishu county in January, a video surfaced showing Kibet physically forcing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to move closer to President Ruto and join him in slapping hands and applauding the dancing group.

Kindiki may have smiled sheepishly, but Kibet was stone-faced and not in the mood for chaos. Around the first week of January, the current DP was spotted wearing sunglasses at the wedding of CS Rebecca Miano’s son, fueling rumors of a physical incident with Kibet.

On April 8, another video surfaced on X, depicting the President’s personal assistant pushing himself into a chaotic assembly of leaders and security agents.

This is before he is seen rapidly and grimly shepherding CS John Mbadi away from the red carpet, as both storm out in a chaotic situation.

Ever ambitious, a young Farouk Kibet soon ascended through the local political ranks, becoming a well-known agitator and skilled mobilizer in Uasin Gishu.

He would write hundreds of letters to the Standard Newspaper, raving about a variety of political hot subjects, until finding himself in the hazy world of William Ruto, a timely path that finally changed his life.

With all of the church fundraisers he attends, the political remarks he publishes, and the number of prominent political figures he brings to all of his gatherings, there are rumors that he is vying for a political position.

Farouk Kibet, armed with a steely glare and unwavering resolve, stays in command of all State affairs. Even though he does not take the time to personally answer his critics, the sheer mention of his ominous name will continue to perplex both friend and foe for as long as William Ruto is in power.

Nothing stood in his way; not even the most powerful typhoons could sway the muscle of his sheer force.