Deputy President William Ruto and his principal assistant Rigathi Gachagua have moved to court seeking the dismissal of the petition, lodged by petitioners to block their anticipated swearing in and the presidential elect.
Ruto and Gachagua urged the court to dismiss the petition citing that it undermines the independence of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commission which is set to announce the presidential election within 7 days.
Rigathi Gachagua is fighting graft charges in court, a reality that forms the bedrock of the petition.
The eleven petitioners had moved to court seeking to block Gachagua and Ruto’s possible swearing – in, mentioning that the duo wouldn’t meet the presidential threshold to be sworn in as the county’s heads.
According to the petitioners, Gachagua’s recent graft case rules him out to be sworn in as the country’s second in command.
Barely a week ago, Kilimani court judge Esther Maina ruled Gachagua to forfeit more than ksh200M, believed to have been acquired through crime proceeds.
Raila and Ruto
This development follows after the Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua, who chaired the Inaugural meeting of Assumption of Office of the presidential committee on Friday, said that they are ready to facilitate a smooth transition.
“In fidelity with the dictates of our Constitution, I have this morning chaired the inaugural meeting of the Assumption of the office of President committee,” said Mr Kinyua.
He was speaking at Harambee House and accompanied by some of the members of the committee who included Attorney General Paul Kihara, Chief of Defence Forces Robert Kibochi, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai, Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho and Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau.
Mr Kinyua said the committee’s mandate will start once the winner of the presidential contest is announced.
Kenya Kwanza leaders at a past press conference
“The committee’s core mandate is to facilitate a smooth transition from the current administration to the incoming administration. Substantively, the mandate of the committee will be triggered once the IEBC formally announces the results of the 9th August 2022 Presidential Election and declares a President-Elect,” he said.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati is expected to announce the results within the time frame of 7 days.
Ruto and Raila are racing neck to neck with supporters developing stomach butterflies over who will carry the day.
