All systems go as elaborate plans out for Uhuru Kenyatta’s big day

President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto during Manifesto Launch at Kasarani Stadium on June 26, 2017.

Tight security and strict transport arrangements will characterise President Uhuru Kenyatta’s swearing-in on Tuesday.

Unlike in the past, senior government officials will be ferried by bus to Moi International Sports Complex Kasarani in Nairobi, the venue of the event.

MPs, Senators, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other senior government officials will be picked from various points to the stadium and later to State House.

There are four key entry points to the venue with various categories of attendees from the Very Very Important Persons (VVIPs), VIPs, members of the committee on Assumption of Office of the President and suppliers, the public and 5,000 accredited party supporters.

“Anybody using the VIP entrance will have to have both the card and accreditation (being done from KICC) all VIP, Judiciary, Executive and Legislature will follow under VIP,” said a senior government official involved in the planning of the event.

Confirmed attendance

He added, “The middle tier will be occupied by 5,000 accredited party supporters and also confirmed to attend are 30 high profile businessmen from United Arab Emirates (UAE).”

Members of the public will be allowed to drive to the venue but only access the complex at gate 11 and 12 while VVIPs will be driven to the venue, and the VIPs (judges, magistrates, CSs and MPs) will use buses.

Presidents from Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Ethiopian Prime Minister have already confirmed attendance.

Kenyans are anxious as the day approaches, with the committee on Assumption of Office of the President working around the clock to ensure it succeeds as planned.

Being the second swearing in under the new Constitution and the candidate is the incumbent, there will be no much activity, which would include the transfer of instruments of power.

In the Assumption of Office of President Act, the swearing in must be conducted at a public place in Nairobi between 10am and 2pm and the day is reserved as a public holiday.

This is seen as having been a reaction by constitutional drafters to the swearing in of former President Mwai Kibaki on December 30, 2007, at State House, Nairobi, at 6pm after the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya had a few hours earlier declared him winner, triggering the post-election skirmishes that left over 1,300 dead.

Under the Act, an ad hoc committee chaired by Secretary to the Cabinet is supposed to prepare a programme for the ceremony immediately after the polls.

In the current case, the preparations were put on hold immediately two petitioners challenged Kenyatta’s win of the October 26 presidential elections. However, the Supreme Court cleared the way after it upheld his victory on November 20.

Fundamental aspect

During the Moi era, swearing-in was done at State House where the Head of the Cabinet was in charge.

Among the Heads of Civil Service at the time included Joseph Letting, Phares Kuindwa and Dr Sally Kosgei.

Solicitor General Njee Muturi explained that Tuesday’s swearing-in will be a departure from 2013 because there will be no handing over of the instruments of power, as was the case with Kibaki in 2002 and Uhuru in 2013.

“The fundamental aspect will be the inspection of the guard of honour. There will be no president-elect to hand over to. It’s the same office,” said Muturi.

In 2013, Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto kneeled for prayers alongside their wives after swearing by the Bible to uphold the Constitution of Kenya.

Already, the Bibilia Broadcasting Network, through its director Christopher arap Mutai, has donated two Bibles to Chief Justice David Maraga for the swearing-in of the duo.

It is not clear if the President and DP will opt to use their own Bibles.

The inauguration is planned by a 22-member committee, bringing on board security chiefs, Attorney General, PSs, one CS and three persons nominated by the President-elect in line with the Act.

Last Monday, the committee chaired by Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua resumed work and by Friday, assured the public that everything was on course and security arrangements had been put in place.

In 2013, 11 Heads of States and Government were in attendance together with diplomats and foreign dignitaries, joining Kenyans to observe the historic day. However, with two-days to D-day, no list of dignitaries has been provided.

“We expect many leaders from the region and across the globe to be in attendance. We call on all Kenyans to turn up in large numbers too. This is their day,” said Mr Kinyua, declining to name the over 20 Heads of State and government expected in Nairobi, citing security concerns.

Kenyatta has invited Opposition leaders to the event, though they are yet to confirm attendance.

The budget set aside for the event in 2013 was Sh1.2 billion but the National Treasury slashed the figure to Sh374 million, with Sh64 million provided for the Judiciary.

For Tuesday’s event, the ministry gave Sh384 million, Sh10 million more compared to 2013, a move that has caused an uproar.

The cash is used to prepare for the swearing-in, including organising new staff, security and briefings from top government officials for the president-elect as well as facilitate communication between outtgoing and incoming president

“The budget is slightly above Sh300 million. It is modest and just adequate. What we did not want was to use public funds in an extravagant way,” said Kinyua without giving a breakdown of the budget.

Insiders confided to Sunday Standard that the bulk of the money will go to security where already Nairobi Police Commander Japheth Koome yesterday informed the media he had sought reinforcement from other counties.

“We have strategies on how to secure the venue. I will not go into details but we have enough officers to guard the event,” he said.

He continued, “We got officers from other counties and specialised units. It is a multi-agency operation. We are ready to secure that event. We expect many international visitors including heads of government, therefore there will be no compromise on security on that day.”

The government has classified some roads as red zones (no go zones).

Koome cited Mombasa Road, Wangari Maathai Road, Museum Hill, Thika Super Highway as red zones (maximum security areas). The roads will be closed on Tuesday.

“Those zones mean maximum security. That is serious business. Anyone causing trouble within the red zone will be dealt with according to the law and firmly. No compromise when it comes to security of any Heads of State and I am asking our people to cooperate on that day,” he said.

As expected, the country will be treated to pomp and colour, being a historic event.

Uhuru will deliver his first national address after assuming office for his second term.