It's full military honours, pomp and colour for Ruto at Kasarani

The day will mark the expiry of the 10-year stint in power for the son of Kenya’s founding leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

With only four days left, preparations for the swearing-in ceremony to be held at the 60,000-seater Kasarani stadium gained momentum, a day after the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s election.

As the Assumption of Office Committee resumed its meetings, military rehearsals got underway at the venue ahead of the crucial ceremony.

It is unclear whether President Kenyatta will attend the ceremony to hand over the instruments of power - a ceremonial sword and the Constitution.

As the norm, retiring presidents must be present to hand over the instruments. His absence, however, cannot affect the process.

While there has been no major contrast in the previous swearing-in ceremonies, some political experts are of the view Uhuru might skip Ruto’s inauguration.

“From his speech, the President appeared unhappy indicating he might not attend. There were no signs or any commitment from him,” Godfrey Sang told the Star.

Former presidents Moi and Kibaki attended the swearing-in ceremonies of their successors in 2002 and 2013.

Constitutionally, the swearing-in ceremony must be conducted between 10am-2pm within the capital, Nairobi.

During that day, Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua will take oaths of allegiance and affirmation of execution of functions of their offices, a practice which has been the tradition since 1963 when the country attained independence.

Each will swear by the Bible, flanked by their spouses, to affirm their resolve to safeguard the Constitution.

In 2013 and 2017, both President Kenyatta and Ruto swore by the Bible that his late father Jomo Kenyatta used when he assumed office as first prime minister in 1963 and as the president in 1964.

The ceremony will be presided over by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Ann Amadi in the presence of Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, who chairs the Assumption of Office Committee, has declared the day a public holiday with members of the public invited to attend the celebration.

Speaker Justin Muturi, Gladys Shollei, Davis Chirchir and Veronica Maina who were nominated by Ruto’s team to join the committee attended the meeting.

The members act as a liaison between the President- elect and the committee.

The events of the day, which include Ruto being accorded full military honours, a sword and the Constitution will culminate in him occupying State House as the new tenant.

Immediately after the swearing in, the national anthem will be played as the Presidential Standard of Kenyatta is lowered marking end of his terms while that of Ruto who succeeds him is hoisted.

The Presidential Standard is a flag that is used in many countries as a symbol of the head of state.

In Kenya, it is designed in consultation with by the President-elect and symbolizes power and represents the Commander-in-Chief.

It is hoisted alongside the Kenyan and East African flags whenever he is present for an official function.

The president also flies it in his official vehicle.

Those aware of arrangement of the day said the elaborate military event will be accompanied by a 21-gun salute in honour of the exiting and incoming heads of state.

Moments after this, Ruto will deliver his inaugural speech before his motorcade leaves for State House, which will be his new official residence for the next five years.

Several heads of states are expected to attend to the event with an official at the transition committee confiding that the invites will be sent out this week.

Edited by Henry Makori