Fanfare of Uhuru Kenyatta handover appeased allies

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to momentarily hand over power to Deputy President William Ruto and honour summons by the International Criminal Court last Monday has been roundly praised. But it is the high drama with which he executed it that baffled many.

Did he have to capture the nation’s attention by communicating a decision on a rather personal matter through a special sitting of the National Assembly and Senate? And did he have to append his signature on this particular gazette notice transferring presidential powers to Ruto in such a dramatic fashion – for all to see – after his speech in Parliament?