Ruto’s Big Day: Kenya’s president–elect set to take office today

NAIROBI, Kenya - William Samoe Ruto the president-elect is set to take the oath of office as Kenya’s 5th president today at Moi International Sports Center – Kasarani-Nairobi.

The inauguration ceremony is underway at the venue attended by over 60,000 Kenyans including Heads of State from 20 African countries will be a dream come true for a former chicken seller who is set to ascend the highest office in the country.

Yesterday Ruto met outgoing President Uhuru for the first time in months at State House -Nairobi.

He was accompanied by incoming First Lady Rachel, they were received by the outgoing head of state Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta marking the first steps of handing over power.

Kenya’s Ministry of Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho did reveal that everything is in top gear for the swearing-in ceremony.

Kibicho “We have only Allowed 60,000 people who must undergo security screening requires a bit of time and we expect that everyone will be seated by 8 am. We have gone through every detail and we are satisfied. We are ready for the ceremony.”

According to the program, Chief Justice Martha Koome and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Ann Amadi will administer the oath of office to the President-elect and Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua.

This will be followed by President Uhuru surrendering the Instruments of Power and Authority to Ruto, which include the ceremonial military sword and the Constitution.

After the President-elect receives the instruments of power, Uhuru’s Presidential Standard will be lowered while Ruto’s will be hoisted. Thereafter A 21-gun salute will follow, and the outgoing president will be given his Standard by Chief of Defence Forces Robert Kibochi.

Uhuru will then be invited to deliver his valedictory speech.

In spite of the perceived bad blood between Uhuru and Ruto, in recent years, their meeting at State House yesterday heralds new dawn even as the country expects to have a fresh start after 10 years of Jubilee government.

Similarly, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to proceed smoothly as the Assumption of the Office of the President Committee is tasked by law to facilitate the handing over from the outgoing President to President-elect.

In a situation where there is a communication breakdown as was assumed between Uhuru and Ruto, the committee is also tasked with facilitating communication between the two.

GAROWE ONLINE