President Uhuru Kenyatta's nine Cabinet nominees on Friday reported at State House, Nairobi, for their swearing-in ceremony.
Given the difference in religious affiliations of the newly appointed Cabinet Secretaries, they could not use the same Bible to take the oath.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Senior Director of Innovation, Digital and Diaspora Communication in the Office of the President, Dennis Itumbi, divulged that there was a black covered bible for the Protestants, a maroon one for the Catholics as well as a Quran (red).
Former Chair of the Public Service Commision (PSC), now Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs CS Margaret Kobia who took the oath first, used a black covered Bible which was also used by East African Community and Northern Corridor Department CS Peter Munya, John Munyes (Petroleum and Mining), Keriako Tobiko (Environment) and Lands, Housing and Urban Development CS Farida Karoney.
[caption caption="File image of CS Margaret Kobia"]
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Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma used the maroon covered Bible together with Water and Sanitation CS Simon Chelugui and Ukur Yattani (Labour and Social Protection)
Sports and Heritage CS Rashid Achesa used the red covered Quran.
According to the Constitution, cabinet nominees are required to take the oath before the President and in accordance with the pre-written affirmation on the Third Schedule of the Laws of Kenya.
The nine nominees were approved by Parliament on Wednesday during a session where National Super Alliance (NASA) Members of Parliament walked out.
[caption caption="File image of Sports CS Rashid Achesa"]
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In his message to his new team, President Uhuru Kenyatta insisted: "I look towards my Cabinet for selfless service, unimpeachable integrity, dedication to duty and unmatched excellence in bringing into fruition the 'Big Four Agenda'."
