For years, the name Farouk Kibet has been whispered in the corridors of power associated to President Ruto from long time ago.
As President William Ruto’s long-serving personal assistant, Farouk has been the ultimate gatekeeper, the silent, behind-the-scenes force ensuring the wheels of the presidency turn smoothly.
However, the era of the silent power broker seems to be coming to a close as Farouk shifts his gaze from the shadows of State House to the spotlight of elective politics.
The clearest signal of this transition comes from a recent gathering at his home in Chepsaita.
In a move that feels more like a campaign launch than a social visit, Farouk has hosted members of the Muslim community for Iftar.
It isn’t just the hospitality that caught has people’s attention, but the rhetoric.
By promising a suite of development projects including the construction of mosques and madrasas, Farouk has sounded less like an aide and very much like a candidate.
This isn’t a sudden pivot. Keen political observers have noted Farouk’s increasing presence at high-stakes political events, most notably during the recent by-elections in Malava and Mbeere North.
Where he once avoided the microphone, he is now embracing it, testing his mettle on the stump and gauging the public’s pulse.
The hint that he may gun for the Turbo parliamentary seat in 2027 is particularly symbolic.
As the President’s home constituency, winning here requires more than just a famous boss, it requires deep local roots and a personal brand.
Farouk’s entry into the race would fundamentally shift the region’s political landscape.
If he successfully trades his personal assistant title for Honorable, it marks a significant evolution in Kenya’s political hierarchy, proving that the best way to lead is often learned by watching from the very top.
