Civil society push to curb presidential powers during elections

President William Ruto inspects a guard of honor mounted by KDF personnel during the State of the Nation address at Parliament on November 20, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

President William Ruto could temporarily lose executive authority during election periods if a proposed constitutional amendment by civil society group Kuna Dawa succeeds.

 The reform seeks to amend the Constitution of Kenya 2010 to transfer executive powers from the sitting president to the Chief Justice during the electioneering period. Under the proposal, the Chief Justice would serve as Interim President until the swearing-in of the President-elect.