In a candid interview, the former Head of Public Service, Francis Muthaura, disclosed the intriguing backstory of how the late President Mwai Kibaki thwarted his retirement plans in 2002, contrary to what had initially been expected.
During the interview held on Sunday, the former state official unveiled the enticing offer made by President Kibaki, who lured him with a position as the Secretary to the Cabinet.
Ultimately, this proposal led to Muthaura's appointment as the Head of Public Service in 2005, a role he dutifully served in until 2012.
In a surprising revelation, Muthaura clarified that despite widespread speculation, he officially retired from public service in November 2022.
"Technically, my retirement should have taken place at the close of 2002, when Kibaki assumed office. However, they somehow discouraged me from retiring," stated Muthaura.
Even after his tenure under Kibaki's leadership in various capacities, former President Uhuru Kenyatta continued to call upon Muthaura for critical roles within his administration.
In June 2020, Uhuru appointed him as the Chairperson of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor Project (LAPSSET). Later the same month, he assumed the position of Chairman of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
During the interview, Muthaura staunchly defended his name, particularly in light of the International Criminal Court (ICC) listing him as one of six individuals suspected of organizing and financing post-election violence in Kenya following the 2007 presidential election.
"I firmly believe that everything we did was in the best interest of Kenyans, within the bounds of the law, and for the betterment of our nation," Muthaura affirmed.
The former KRA Chairperson also opened up about his health, disclosing that he recently underwent heart surgery in South Africa. He expressed his gratitude for his well-being and resilience into his 70s, attributing it to the will of God.
"I am encouraged by the will of God; I have faced numerous formidable challenges in my life, but somehow, God has seen me through," he reflected.
In conclusion, Muthaura expressed his sense of fortune for having served at the helm of the Public Service for over two decades. His distinguished career includes prominent roles such as Head of Public Service, KRA Chairperson, and LAPSSET Chairperson.
He has also held Permanent Secretary positions in various ministries and represented Kenya as an envoy to key international locations, including London, the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the United Nations in New York.
Muthaura's influence has extended to regional diplomacy, where he served as the Founder Executive Secretary and later Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC).