Kimemia invites public to Uhuru inauguration

By Allan Kisia and Abigael Sum

Nairobi, Kenya: All arrangements for the swearing-in of the country’s fourth President were completed in time for today’s historic event.

Chairman of the Assumption of the Office of the President Committee Francis Kimemia emphasised that the swearing-in of Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, is a public function and therefore invited wananchi to attend in large numbers.

“Protocol officers at the stadium will show you appropriately where to sit and participate in the ceremony. For those who will be unable to attend, the event will be covered live by all media houses on television and radio,” he explained.

The law states that the swearing-in of the President-elect and Deputy President-elect must be conducted in a public ceremony in the capital city, Nairobi. The swearing-in will be held at the country’s biggest sports facility, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Kimemia pointed that today has been gazetted as a public holiday due to the nature of the occasion. The law also states the day on which the President-elect will be sworn-in shall be a public holiday.

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Guests and citizens

Kimemia said all guests and citizens should be seated by 10am after which the ceremony will commence and end at 2pm. “Thereafter, invited guests will proceed to State House, Nairobi, for a State luncheon,” he reiterated.

He noted that 25 Heads of States and Government delegations had confirmed their attendance.  “In addition, ambassadors and high commissioners representing respective countries in Kenya will be attending,” he added.

He said the country looks forward to receiving invited guests and urged Kenyans to accord visitors a warm welcome. Kimemia, speaking at a press briefing in Kasarani, said his committee had organised an elaborate and vibrant entertainment for the day.

Entertainment

He noted that entertainment will commence at 7am and will be done by 25 teams. “The teams are drawn from across the country. Popular artists have also been engaged as part of the entertaining groups,” he added.

The Assumption of the Office of the President Committee was charged with the responsibility of overseeing the preparations and it commenced its work in January this year.  The committee was guided by the appropriate constitutional and legal provisions.

Kimemia further noted that his committee had also extended invitation to all Governors, County Representatives, County Assembly Speakers, Provincial Commissioners and County Commissioners.

He thanked the media whom he said had been a major partner in publicising the work of the Assumption of Office of President Committee.