State House has sent a worrying message to the National Assembly after it confessed that it was unable to raise funds meant to facilitate the swearing in of the President after the 2017 general election.
The swearing-in ceremony and the transition committee that facilitates a peaceful transition of power requires an approximated budget of Sh384.25 Million.
Since the transition will be happening in late 2017, the money was expected to be factored in the 2017/2018 which has not been the case.
“Due to budgetary constraints, the presidency could not fund the following key activities… the assumption of the office of the President,” State House says in its budget submission to Parliament.
State House has now pleaded with Parliament to look for alternative areas where the money can be sourced.
The transition could especially be critical in the event of a power transfer from the incumbent to an Opposition candidate.
In such an eventuality, a lot of resources would be needed to prepare the new head of State, including organising new staff, security and briefings from top government officials for the President-elect as well as facilitate communication between the outgoing and the incoming President.
Even if the President was to retain his seat, the law requires that the swearing-in must be done in public and it is common for such events to be graced by international dignitaries.
The swearing-in ceremony is supposed to be organised by a committee of 22 people, including security chiefs, Attorney-General, principal secretaries, one Cabinet secretary and three persons nominated by the President-elect in line with the Assumption of Office of President Act.
