Title: Allegations of Sabotage Surround President Ruto’s Inauguration as New Bill Seeks Transition Team Reforms
In light of a new bill sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah, allies of President William Ruto are claiming that the transition team led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s allies attempted to sabotage Ruto’s inauguration ceremony.
Ruto won with 50.49 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was contesting his fifth election.
According to reports, members of the transition team representing Mr. Kenyatta allegedly refused to dispatch invitation cards for the inauguration ceremony.
Attorney General Justin Muturi, speaking to the Sunday Nation has expressed frustration, stating, “Those of us who represented Ruto as President-elect got frustrated. You agree on small things like sending out invitation cards, but people sitting at Harambee House decide to sit on them.”
The blame for this alleged interference is placed on the composition of the transition team, which primarily consists of members from the outgoing regime.
The team, chaired by then-Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, included members of the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC).
During the Presidential election petition, Dr. Ruto’s legal team reportedly submitted that the NSAC attempted to overturn his victory, further highlighting tensions within the transition process.
In response to these challenges, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah introduced a bill titled “National Government Administration Laws (Amendment) 2023.”
The bill aims to amend the Assumption of Office of the President Act, 2012, with a focus on enhancing the transition process.
The proposed amendments include an increase in the number of members representing the president-elect from three to six.
This adjustment is intended to facilitate a smoother transition, especially when there is opposition from the outgoing administration.
“The bill also seeks to enhance the representation of the President-elect in the committee by increasing the number of representatives from three to six,” states the bill.
The current transition committee comprises the Head of Public Service, Attorney General, Chief of Defence Forces, Inspector General of Police, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Interior Principal Secretary, and Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has expressed his intention to propose further amendments to the bill, aiming to impose punishments on team members who deliberately skip meetings.
Barasa stated, “If you saw what happened in the last transition, it would be in the interest of this country to have a transition team that is President-elect heavy,” emphasizing the need for a more balanced and cooperative approach to the transition process.
