• The men who have President Ruto's ears and attention are his long-term political friends, such as Adan Duale, Kithure Kindiki, and Kipchumba Murkomen, all in his Cabinet.

Since independence, Kenya has been characterized by a government system in which the utmost power lies with the president. Each time a new occupant of the House on the Hill is elected, he brings on new people with different powers. The president usually has a right-hand man who pulls the strings on his behalf. They are said to be gatekeepers of power.

When the founding president, Jomo Kenyatta, ascended to power on December 12, 1964, he formed an entire government of strong and eloquent people. However, they were notable vital figures who had the eyes and the ears of the president, such as Mbiu Koinange. Additionally, the first Attorney General, Charles Njonjo, was described as a man at the right place at the right time. He was so powerful that he rode on the president's official limousine.

Njonjo played a major role in ensuring Daniel Moi became president after the sudden death of the then-president, Jomo Kenyatta. During the Moi regime, Njonjo became too powerful, which worried the president, who had to be brought down. With Njonjo's exit came a powerful man, Nicholas Biwott; this was the man that Moi trusted to deal with the former president's political elites. He was often referred to as the “total man.”

During Mwai Kibaki's presidency, which began in 2002 after winning the election on a Rainbow party ticket, power was concentrated in the hands of a select few. His first tenure saw the rise of powerful individuals such as Kiraitu Murungi, Dr Chris Murungaru, and Kibaki's personal Assistant Alfred Getonga, who were often referred to as “Mt. Kenya Mafias.” Even Mama Lucy Kibaki, the former first lady, wielded significant power in Kibaki’s regime, often making public displays of her influence.

After Kibaki, the ascension of Uhuru-Ruto marked a significant political relationship that lasted until the early stages of their second tenure. However, their breakup brought about a shift in power, with new figures emerging as influential players both inside and outside the statehouse. Notably, the then Interior PS, Karanja Kibicho, and his immediate boss, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi, gained the president's attention. At times, the Interior CS even assumed the duties of the Deputy President (DP), diminishing the office's power.

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At his appointment, Matiangi seemed to be the man at the helm of the country, and he became a target of the DP camp. Uhuru Kenyatta constantly defended and praised Matiangi.

In 2022, in a heavily contested election, William Ruto became the fifth president of Kenya. Barely two years into his term in office, the footprints of powerful people around the president visible are the same as those of past powers. The June Gen Z demonstration and the impeachment motion against the DP have exposed people close to the president.

The men who have President Ruto's ears and attention are his long-term political friends, such as Adan Duale, Kithure Kindiki, and Kipchumba Murkomen, all in his Cabinet.

However, the man who is said to operate in the shadows and hold immense power is Ruto’s personal assistant, Faruok Kibet. Farouk has been with William Ruto since his first victory and an MP in 1998 making him a right-hand man for the president. He is said to be the protocol to the president, who sees the president's must pass through him.

Additionally, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua complained about Farouk Kibet's power in trying to give him orders. “I cannot confuse my boss with his friend, and I am not that stupid. The problem is that some people who are friends of the president also want to be my boss,” said DP Gachagua.

Aden Duale referred to Farouk Kibet as a dictator. “If you have never heard of a dictator, the dictator is Farouk Kibet. You know he has no office, but he has a colloidal called the colloidal of power.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said that Farouk's office is the same as that of the president. “I think the office of Farouk is the same as that of our president because even if he doesn’t want the DP to see the president, then that becomes the case,” said Ndindi.

Farouk has emerged as a “Total man “ in the government of William Ruto. In the recent past, he has been in the mouths of most Kenyans, especially on X, as the man calling the shots from the State House.