Ruto’s swearing-in ceremony cost Kenyan taxpayers 200 million.

NAIROBI, Kenya - The swearing-in of President-Elect Dr William Ruto next week -Tuesday to cost Kenyan taxpayers Sh200 million.

According to the National Treasury Pre-Election Economic Update report “The allocation of Sh200 million under the Executive Office of the President is provided for in the National Treasury for Assumption of Office activities.”

Yesterday the country’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by Raila Odinga challenging the declaration of Dr Ruto as President-elect after the August 9 General Election.

Kenya’s Constitution stipulates that the President-elect will be sworn in seven days after the Supreme Court upholds the election victory following an election petition.

The funds allocated to the Assumption of Office committee are meant for the preparation for the transition of power from President Uhuru Kenyatta to Dr Ruto.

“The Assumption of Office of the President Act, 2012, outlines the procedure that must be followed to ensure the winner of a presidential election ascends to power within specific timelines.

It establishes a 20-member Assumption of the Office of President committee chaired by the Secretary to the Cabinet.

As per the law, the State is to declare the day of the swearing-in as a public holiday. The Act also specifies the exact times for particular activities, indicating that the oath is taken between 10 am and 2 pm on the identified date.

The Chief Justice will administer the oath of office to the President-elect alongside the registrar of the High Court.

Once the President-elect is sworn in his deputy will also take the oath of office after which President Uhuru Kenyatta will be expected to hand over the instruments of power such as the Constitution and the sword of power to Dr Ruto who is the new head of State.

Kenyatta who is the outgoing President will then leave for State House to officially hand over to his successor.

Swearing –In process

The government has already declared Tuesday as a public holiday where Kenyans will witness President-elect William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua will take the oath of office.

Already, the Assumption of office of the President committee chaired by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua has begun preparations for the handing over of power.

The committee will oversee the power transition from outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta to President-elect William Ruto and organise an inauguration ceremony that will be held at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani-Nairobi.

Role of the Assumption of office of the President-elect committee

• Carry out any other activity necessary for the performance of its functions under this Act and perform any other function assigned to it under any other written law.
• Organise the necessary facilities and personnel for the President-elect
• Facilitate the handing over the process by the outgoing President to the President-elect
• Organise for the security of the President-elect
• Co-ordinate the briefings of the President-elect by relevant public officers
• Ease communication between the outgoing President and the President-elect
• Prepare the programme and organise for the swearing-in ceremony

The president-elect will be represented in the committee by a team of his political loyalists including, former Speaker Justin Muturi, UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina and Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Boss Sholei.

This committee is also made up of members of the National Security Advisory Council including Attorney General Paul Kihara, Chief of Defence Forces Robert Kibochi, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary and Macharia Kamau.

Preparations for the President-elect’s swearing-in are already underway at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani where the army was seen rehearsing on Tuesday.

The outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta said the handover process has begun and committed to facilitating a smooth transition.

Kenyatta “It is my intention to oversee a smooth transition to the next administration and all the necessary orders to facilitate this process have already been issued.”

GAROWE ONLINE