Steps and Process of Swearing in Ruto on September 13th

Deputy President William Ruto taking an oath of office in 2017.
Deputy President William Ruto taking an oath of office in 2017.
File

Deputy President William Ruto is set to be sworn in as the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya following the verdict by the Supreme Court to uphold the election victory.

As per the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, Ruto will be sworn-in on Tuesday, September 13 at the Kasarani stadium.

Article 141 on the Assumption of the Office of the President stipulates that a president-elect should be sworn in on the first Tuesday- seven days after the Supreme Court renders its decision.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati presents President-elect William Ruto his election certificate at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 15, 2022.
Former IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati presents President William Ruto his election certificate at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 15, 2022.
PCS

"The President-elect shall be sworn in on the first Tuesday following the seventh day following the date on which the court renders a decision declaring the election to be valid if any petition has been filed under Article 140," reads the Article in part.

Additionally, Ruto will be sworn in between 10 am and 2 pm as per the law.

The DP's swearing-in will be organised by the transition committee which is being headed by Head of Public Service Dr. Joseph Kinyua.

Other members of the committee are Attorney General Kihara Kariuki, Cabinet Secretary for Interior Fred Matiang'i, Chief of Kenya Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi and Director of National Intelligence Services Major General Philip Wachira Kameru, Inspector General of Police and Chief Registrar of Judiciary Anne Amadi.

Earlier, the DP had nominated UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina, outgoing National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, and Uasin Gishu Woman Representative-elect Gladys Shollei to join the committee in organising the national event.

Initially, the process of handing over started moments after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Ruto as president-elect, however, the just-concluded presidential petition slowed the process.

The committee already announced that the date for Ruto's inauguration will be a national holiday to allow Kenyans to witness the national event.

In the Tuesday event, Ruto will take an oath of office and pledge to uphold the constitution before assuming his role as the Head of State.

As per the law, Ruto is set to take an oath of office in before Chief Justice Martha Koome or Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu in the absence of the CJ.

"President-elect assumes office by taking and subscribing the oath or affirmation of allegiance, and the oath or affirmation for the execution of the functions of the office, as prescribed in the Third Schedule," reads Article 140 of Constitution 2010.

After taking the oath of office, President Uhuru Kenyatta will hand over a sword and a constitution to his successor. Notably, immediately after that, Uhuru's Aide De Camp (ADC) will move to Ruto's side signalling a change of guard.

Upon the affirmation of his win, Ruto will continue enjoying the privileges of the President-elect, i.e. daily security briefings in the country and beefed-up security until he is sworn in.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) walking in Mombasa in the company of Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nasir, former governor Hassan Joho and other leaders from coast on Thursday,
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) walking in Mombasa in the company of Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nasir, former governor Hassan Joho and other leaders from coast on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
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