Hundreds of Kenyans have trooped to the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) to witness the swearing-in of the country's second deputy president in three years.
The former Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki is set to be sworn into office on Friday, November 1, after a three-judge bench of the High Court lifted the conservatory orders barring his swearing-in. The swearing-in ceremony is set to take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC).
After a long and extensive judicial battle, the path was finally cleared for Kindiki to be sworn in as the Republic of Kenya’s third Deputy President on Thursday, October 31.
Upon the court’s decision, the President, through a gazette notice, announced the formation of an Assumption of Office of the Deputy President Committee (AOC) in line with the Assumption of Office Act. The AOC was tasked with facilitating the smooth transition into office of the Deputy President-designate. The AOC has 21 members drawn from various areas of government and is chaired by Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau.
The gazettement of the AOC was followed by another gazette notice, this time issued by the chair of the AOC notifying the public of the official swearing-in ceremony of Prof Kithure Kindiki as the next DP.
So what are Kenyans set to expect during Kindiki’s swearing-in? PS of Interior and National Coordination Raymond Omollo in an interview with Citizen TV on Friday morning, stated that the swearing-in ceremony of Prof Kindiki will begin at 10:00 am and last for only one hour.
While speaking to Citizen TV at KICC, the PS asserted that the swearing-in was a judicial process and thus the reason for the unusually short duration of time it took.
“We are looking at roughly one hour. The event should be done by 11:00 am. It is purely a Judiciary function and the Judiciary have a way of doing their things.”
The PS added that the preparations for the swearing-in began yesterday night and stretched over the night as workers went round the clock in a bid to ensure everything was set up in time.
When giving details about the swearing-in ceremony, the PS stated that Prof Kithure Kindiki’s arrival at the venue will kick start the event into full swing. Reports indicate Kindiki will walk to KICC from his Jogoo House office. The Deputy President-designate’s arrival will be followed by the arrival of President William Ruto.
“The DP designate will arrive and then we expect the arrival of His Excellency the President to the venue and then the program formally begins, “ he mentioned.
The PS stated that by law, the swearing-in ceremony as a judicial function will be presided over by the Chief Justice and the Registrar to the Judiciary. “As I mentioned yesterday, this is a Judiciary function and the CJ together with the Registrar of the Judiciary will preside over the event. It will be a very short program. Of course, there will be the oaths undertaken by the DP designate,” PS Omollo added.
PS Omollo stated that after the oaths, the Prime Cabinet Secretary will invite DP designate Kindiki to make his speech which will then be followed by an address to the nation by President Ruto. After the oaths, the Prime CS will invite the DP designate to make a few remarks and subsequently, the President will speak to the nation," he noted.
Chapter Nine of the Kenyan Constitution states that the swearing-in ceremony of a Deputy President is to be conducted by the Registrar to the Judiciary in the presence of the Chief Justice, or in their absence, the presence of the Deputy Chief Justice.
Article 148 states that: “The swearing in of the Deputy President-elect shall be before the Chief Justice or, in the absence of the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice and in public. The Deputy President-elect assumes office by taking and subscribing-- (a) the oath or affirmation of allegiance; and (b) the oath or affirmation for the execution of the functions of office, as prescribed in the Third Schedule.”
Various leaders from the political divide including governors made their way into the venue. Governors present include Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali.
