Speculation that Deputy President-Elect Prof Kithure Kindiki could be sworn in on Saturday, October 19, at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, despite a court order stopping the process, has ignited debate online.
President William Ruto on, Friday nominated Kindiki as Rigathi Gachagua‘s replacement after his impeachment as DP by the Senate on Thursday night.
The National Assembly went on to approve the nomination almost immediately, sparking speculation that Kindiki could be sworn in on Saturday.
However, the High Court suspended the Senate’s decision to uphold the National Assembly’s October 8 impeachment of Gachagua, in turn stopping Kindiki from assuming office following the National Assembly’s approval.
The speculation that the Interior Cabinet Secretary’s swearing-in could happen was further fueled by a cryptic tweet from Ruto’s senior adviser on economic affairs, Moses Kuria.
Kuria accompanied the tweet with several photos and videos showing ongoing preparations at the Uhuru Gardens, the presumed venue for the purported oath-taking ceremony.
Swearing-in ceremony at Uhuru Gardens
He further claimed that the purported swearing in would take place on Saturday at the said venue from 9am, and that the gates will be closed once the swearing in arena is full.
Kuria noted that the government “cannot afford a Constitutional crisis”.
“The swearing-in will take place tomorrow at Uhuru Gardens from 9am. No cards required. Gates will be closed once the swearing in arena is full. We cannot afford a Constitutional crisis. We cannot be another Sudan with 2 Presidents. For the sake of our nation and our families we will swear in Kithure Kindiki as President in Waiting. Courts can deposit their ruling in the pigeonholes. Karibuni Uhuru Gardens 9am,” said Kuria.
A section of Kenyans reacted to Kuria’s tweet with some wondering whether the laying of the stage at the Uhuru Gardens, coupled with Kuria’s cryptic post, lend credence to the swearing-in speculation.
But some Kenyans pointed out that the venue was being prepared for a musical event.
Also Read: Another Court Order Stops Kindiki from Assuming Office as Deputy President
The Kenya Times conducted a fact check to ascertain the claims by a section of Kenyans and confirmed that there was a planned musical event to be headlined by Benga music star Evans Ochieng Owino popularly known as Prince Indah.
Event
Prince Indah had through his social media accounts on Friday confirmed that the event dubbed “Malaika Festival” would take place at the Uhuru Gardens venue on Saturday following approval by Lang’ata Member of Parliament (MP) Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o.
“Lang’ata one MP Jalang’o has approved Malaika Festival to happen in his home area tomorrow, Uhuru Gardens. Kesho itakuwa sinema tu…. Welcome all,” said Prince Indah.
Also, You Tuber and content creator Oga Obinna had earlier in the week confirmed that he would be performing in the event, in a video shared alongside Prince Indah at the venue.
According to a ticketing platform (Ticket Yetu), the tickets for Prince Indah’s event were ranging for between Ksh1,000 and Ksh10,000.
Other artists set to perform are Emma Jalamo, Waithaka Wa Jane, and Costa Ojwang.
Also Read: Kuria Reshares Explosive Letter to Gachagua as Impeachment Looms
Kindiki appointment stopped
As of Friday evening, after the National Assembly approved Prof. Kindiki’s nomination as Rigathi’s replacement, some government officials indicated plans were in top gear to spruce up the venue.
However, Justice Chacha Mwita while issuing orders suspending the Senate’s decision to impeach Gachagua warned parties against disobeying the order.
He said he had transmitted the file to Chief Justice Martha Koome to constitute a bench that will hear the weighty constitutional issues Gachagua had raised over the ouster process in an application filed by Senior Counsel Paul Muite.
“Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” the judge said.
The appointment of Gachagua’s replacement would require the Chief Justice to preside over the swearing-in exercise.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
