The Cabinet has approved the Assumption of Office of President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2024.
In a meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Tuesday, December 17, the cabinet supported the bill which introduces a unified law covering the assumption of office by the President-elect and the transition of executive power.
The bill proposes Ksh10 million or imprisonment of up to 10 years for public officials who interfere with the swearing-in process.
“It also imposes stricter penalties for State and public officers who obstruct the transition, proposing fines of up to KSh10 million, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both,” reads a dispatch issued by State House.
The cabinet said the proposed law aims to seal gaps and ensure smoother and more unified presidential transitions in Kenya.
Another key provision in the Bill ensures that the President-elect and Deputy President-elect receive security arrangements equivalent to those of the sitting President and Deputy President.
“It consolidates the procedures for the assumption of office and the transfer of executive authority into a single legislative framework,” reads a dispatch issued by State House.
Swearing-in Valid Without Outgoing President
The Bill addresses scenarios where the outgoing President cannot attend the swearing-in ceremony to account for unforeseen circumstances.
In such cases, the handover of instruments of power will be omitted without affecting the validity of the swearing-in process.
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Other Proposals in the Bill
The proposed law also ensures continuity in government operations by allowing Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries to remain in office until new appointments are made by the incoming administration.
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The Bill further provides that the transition of executive authority will be deemed to have been completed when the President, Deputy President, Attorney-General, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and the Secretary to the Cabinet assume office.
Other provisions outline the role of the President-elect in the nomination and appointment of members of the Assumption of Office Committee and provide for the establishment of a Transition Centre.
The Bill is now headed to Parliament for consideration.
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Ruto Thanks Cabinet for Working in 2023
The President thanked the Cabinet for their hard work and contributions during the year.
He cited the gains already made in food production, housing, labour mobility to access opportunities abroad, and tourism, among others.
“Many people thought we would concentrate on populism, but we concentrated on transformation; many thought we would concentrate on politics, but we concentrated on leadership,” he said.
“It is not about some people, but all the people of Kenya.”
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