President William Ruto's Cabinet has approved the Assumption of Office of President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2024 which seeks to streamline transitions between governments after elections.
As highlighted in the Cabinet brief dated Tuesday, December 17, the bill proposes a Ksh10 million fine for government officials who obstruct the transition of power from one president to the next.
The bill also proposes a 10-year jail term who the state and public officials.
On the other hand, the government is seeking to beef up the security of those elected as the President-elect and the Deputy President-elect.
Read More
As proposed, the President-elect and Deputy President-elect will receive security arrangements equivalent to those of the sitting President and Deputy President.
Notably, the new proposals also address unforeseen instances where the outgoing president fails to attend the swearing-in of the incoming Head of State.
"To account for unforeseen circumstances, the Bill addresses scenarios where the outgoing President cannot attend the swearing-in ceremony. In such cases, the handover of instruments of power will be omitted without affecting the validity of the swearing-in process."
On the other hand, the new bill proposes for Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries to continue serving in their positions before the new government appoints new officials.
"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," read the statement in part.
The bill will be submitted to Parliament when MPs resume sittings in 2025.
