Ruto’s big day: Inside the inauguration programme

Written by Inka FM on 8 September 2022

Dozens of heads of states and governments are expected to attend President-elect William Ruto’s swearing in ceremony slated for the Moi International Sports center, Kasarani next Tuesday.

According to Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei who sits in the Assumption of Office of the President Committee, at least 45 heads of states and governments are expected to grace the event.

“We have divided ourselves into two teams, one team is here at Kasarani where we expect about 45 heads of state and government will grace this occasion and we have another team at state house taking control of the luncheon. The president elect is clear on who he wants, he was very categorical that we must involve hustlers in this,” she said. Ruto has appointed a high powered team to the committee, chaired by head of public service Joseph Kinyua.

A draft programme seen by the People Daily, shows that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), which has been conducting its rehearsals at Kasarani, will be in charge of the entire event scheduled to start at 10 am.

According to the programme, all guests and members of the public will be expected to have taken their seats at the stadium by 10 am in order to pave way for Service Commanders of the three military formations including the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy and the who will be expected to be seated by 10.30am.

Invited heads of states and government are expected to make their way into the stadium by 11am and five minutes thereafter be followed by the chief of Defense Forces, Gen Robert Kibochi.

During a press briefing held at Harambee House on Tuesday, Kinyua said that as per the law, the event should take place any time between the hours of 10:00 AM and 02:00 PM.

“The processes of the Swearing-In Event and the Inauguration Ceremony are elaborately set out under both the Constitution and Statute Law. The President-Elect shall take the Oath of Office as administered by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary before Her Ladyship the Chief Justice,” he said.

Among the Ruto loyalists in the committee is led by outgoing National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi and comprises Shollei, Chief of Staff Davis Chirchir and UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina.

Also in the team is blogger Dennis Itumbi. There were awkward moments on Tuesday when Itumbi came face to face with Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho with whom they have been having long running differences over the alleged La Mada hotel meeting to plot Ruto’s assassination.

According to the programme, Chief Justice Martha Koome and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Ann Amadi who will administer the oath of office to Ruto and Gachagua at about 12:10 PM will be expected to make their entry in to the stadium at about 11 :05 am who will them be followed thereafter by the guard of honor which will match to its position at around 11 30 am.

This will be the first time Koome will come face to face with Ruto since the Supreme Court upheld his election on Monday.

Gachagua will be the first to make his way to the stadium at exactly 11:35am and five minutes later, he will be followed by Ruto and the incoming first lady.

They will be followed by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta who will be received by General Kibochi.

“After the National Anthem, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta will inspect the Guard of Honour. Anne Amadi, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary is the one to administer the oaths to William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua,” reads the draft programme.

The draft programme notes that once Amadi takes to the podium, she will invite Koome who will serve as a witness while she is administering the oath to Ruto.

Before administering the oath, Koome will introduce Ruto and Rigathi to the gathering.

“HE Dr William Samoei Ruto takes two oaths; – one pledging allegiance to the Constitution and the second is the solemn affirmation of due execution of the office of president,” reads the programme.

Once the oaths are administered to the duo, President Uhuru Kenyatta will proceed to hand over the Instruments of Power and Authority to Ruto, which will be followed by fanfare and the National Anthem.

It is during this moment that simultaneously, Uhuru’s presidential Standard will be lowered while Ruto’s will be hoisted.

There after A 21-gun salute will follow, and Uhuru will be given his Standard by Kibochi.