By Moses Njagih and Moses Nyamori
Nairobi, Kenya: President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta was Monday briefed on proceedings at the Office of the President, even before his swearing on Tuesday.
Uhuru visited the Harambee House, which will be his official working station starting today, to familiarise himself with the operations there and get brief on the urgent business that will require his immediate attention.
While Uhuru will be housed at the Harambee House, his Deputy, William Ruto, will operate from across the road at what was formerly Shell-BP House and which has been housing the Prime Minister for the last five years.
Monday, for close to five hours, Uhuru held a closed door meeting with senior government officials at Harambee House, where he was given a brief on the official duties ahead and introduced to departmental heads.
Senior Government officials led by Office of the President PS Mutea Iringo were at hand to receive the President-elect, who arrived at the offices a few minutes to 10am.
After close to five hours of induction, Uhuru left the offices at around 3.15pm to prepare for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony when he will officially be handed the instruments of power, taking over as both the Head of State and leader of Government.
After the briefing Uhuru left the offices in a convoy without addressing members of the Press who had camped outside the offices.
Parade commander
Earlier, Head of Public Service who is also the chairman of the Committee on Assumption of Office, which is handling preparations for today’s function Mr Francis Kimemia said the incoming President had been taken through what will be expected of him during his inauguration.
“We have already concluded the rehearsal for the function, and as the law requires, we have also inducted the incoming president on the role he will be playing today and afterwards,” said Kimemia yesterday.
He added: “The law was drafted taking to account that anyone can be President and thus the reason for these procedures (rehearsals)".
The parade commander for the swearing in ceremony will be led by Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Nyagah, a key figure during the Kenya Defence Forces’ capture of Kismayu under the Operation Linda Nchi.
Meanwhile, religious leaders in the North Rift region have urged Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto to unite the nation as they assume office by ensuring formation of an all inclusive government.
Eldoret Catholic Bishop Cornelius Korir said the leaders have a big task ahead of them of uniting the nation after abrasive political campaigns, which he said left the nation divided.
“They (Uhuru and Ruto) must ensure the nation is united by forming an inclusive government. There is no doubt the nation is divided along tribal lines. There is need by all political leaders to pull together in ensuring unity among Kenyans. The nation has been divided by the elections and the leaders must find ways of uniting Kenyans for any development to be realised,” said Bishop Korir.
He challenged the Jubilee leaders to deliver on their campaign promises as a way of winning the trust of Kenyans, including those who voted against them in the last month poll.
“There is also the need for the leaders to solve the issue of squatters across the nation as a way of ensuring people do not feel marginalised in their own country.”
The prelate urged Uhuru and Ruto to utilise the recommendations of the Ndung’u Report, and seek ways on how to provide long-term solutions to the issue of land, which has haunted the nation for a long period.
Separately, ACK Bishop Christopher Ruto told the leaders to make Cabinet appointments that reflect the face of Kenya as a way of promoting national integration and cohesion among the more than 42 tribes that make up Kenya.
