President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua took two different oaths to mark the start of their five-years reign at the helm of the country's leadership on Tuesday, September 13.
The two were the oath of allegiance and the oath of office. The oath-taking process was conducted by Judiciary Registrar Anne Amadi and witnessed by Chief Justice Martha Koome
After subscribing to the two oaths, they both signed the certificates. However, Gachagua did not sign the inauguration certificate, only accorded to Ruto who assumed power as the head of state.
CJ Koome afterwards declared the duo duly elected President and Deputy President, respectively.
Ruto then received the highest award in the country – Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart, marking the start of his reign as the commander in Chief of the armed forces.
The Oath of Allegiance
The oath of allegiance is also referred to as the solemn affirmation of allegiance of the President. It is a commitment made by the leaders to assure the country of their willingness to protect the constitution and uphold the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya.
"I, William Samoei Ruto in full realisation of the high calling I assume as President of the Republic of Kenya, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Kenya; that I will obey, preserve, protect and defend this Constitution of Kenya, as by law established, and all other laws of the Republic; and that I will protect and uphold the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya. So help me, God," he stated.
The same oath was administered to Gachagua.
Oath of Office
In this oath, Ruto and Gachagua committed to executing their mandates without favouritism or breaching the laws enshrined in the Constitution.
"I William Ruto swear that I will truly and diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in the Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya; that I will diligently discharge my duty and perform my function in the office of president of the Republic of Kenya and that I will do justice to all in accordance to this cons as by law established and the laws of Kenya without fear, favour affection or ill will, so help me God," Ruto read out his oath.
Gachagua also took the same oath.
After taking the oaths, the certificates of the oath of allegiance and the oath of office were sealed by CJ Koome in presence of Amadi and handed to the head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua.
