Power transition to Ruto started Aug 10 -Kenyatta

Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a brief speech after the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the election results, but failed to mention President-elect William Ruto by name or congratulate his deputy.

“I want to wish well all who have won as they guide our country into the future. I thank you all for the opportunity to serve,” he said while wrapping up his first post-poll public speech that made no mention of Dr Ruto.

He said that he will oversee a smooth transition to the next administration.

“All the necessary orders to facilitate this process have already been issued,” he said.

He also urged Kenyans to respect the institutions that midwife their new leaders, while also asking the public to constantly put them under scrutiny as a civic duty required of every Kenyan.

“They must test them (institutions) for coherence. They must constantly scrutinise the coherence of the truth given by these institutions…has there been a consistent pattern from one election to another? Is it about numbers or is it about process?” he said, in an apparent reference to the verdict issued by the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon.

“Can an institution rule one way in an election and another way in another election without scrutiny?” He wondered, while inviting Kenyans to keep vigil and hold all institutions to account.

‘I will call Uhuru’
Earlier today, Dr Ruto said in his speech shortly after the court’s verdict that he would be reaching out to President Kenyatta to discuss transition to his administration. Notably, Mr Kenyatta’s speech did not mention if the call had happened or if he had any plans to speak to his deputy regarding the matter.

While revealing that he had not spoke to his boss in months, Dr Ruto said he will honour Mr Kenyatta as he retires.

“We will respect Mr Kenyatta in his retirement. We will give him the honour he deserves. We are not petty,” Dr Ruto said at his Karen residence in Nairobi.

Seemingly inseparable when they won their first presidential election in 2013, a rift began to form during the 2017 electioneering period, even as they united to go up against then-rival Raila Odinga.

However, foe turned friend as Mr Kenyatta mended fences with Mr Odinga with the famous ‘Handshake’ in 2018, and the rift between the President and his deputy grew.

Kenyatta assures smooth transition after SC decision

Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, September 5, 2022, assured the nation of a smooth transition as he prepares to proceed on retirement next week.

Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment upholding William Ruto’s election as the country’s fifth president, Uhuru affirmed that he will hand over power to the incoming administration peacefully.

“When I was sworn in as your president I made a pledge to the country. A pledge to uphold the rule of law and the decisions made by the Judiciary on all matters pertaining to our governance. Today, the Supreme Court made a ruling on the presidential dispute.

“Upholding the results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on the 15th of August 2022, and in keeping to the pledge that I made to uphold the rule of law when I took the oath of office I commit to executing the order of this court to the letter,” Uhuru said in a recorded speech.

He noted that the process of handing over to the next administration is in progress through the Assumption of Office Committee, which began its duties on August 10.

“It’s my intention to oversee a smooth transition to the next administration and all the necessary orders to facilitate this process have already been issued,” Uhuru stated adding that he wishes Ruto well as he prepares to assume the highest office in the land.

Uhuru urges Kenyans to scrutinize independent institutions
While urging citizens to respect independent institutions, the President also called on the members of the public to constantly put the institutions under scrutiny.

“This civic duty requires every citizen to constantly put the truth presented by our constitutional institutions to test. They must test them for coherence but also for correspondence. They must constantly scrutinize the coherence of truths given by these institutions and ask themselves whether the truth has been coherent from one election to another,” he said in a veiled attack on the Judiciary.

“Has there been a consistent pattern that is acceptable to our democratic ethos? We must ask ourselves is it about the numbers or is it about the process. Which of these two is it? And can our institutions rule one way in another election and another in another election without scrutiny?”

Earlier, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court dismissed Raila Odinga’s petition challenging Ruto’s election, insisting that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance flag bearer was validly elected.

Uhuru supported Raila’s bid in the August 9 polls following his acrimonious fallout with Ruto, who has been his deputy for 10 years.

The Jubilee party duo suffered a strained relationship in their second term following the President’s handshake with the long-serving opposition leader.

Earlier, Ruto said he had not talked with the President in months.

Speaking at his Karen residence where he welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader said he hopes the transition will be smooth.

“I haven’t talked to Uhuru Kenyatta in months but shortly I will call him so that we can have a conversation on the process of transition. I know he worked hard in his own way but the people of Kenya have made a decision,” Ruto stated.

Watch interesting court proceedings: