President William Ruto got down to work on the same day of his inauguration, signing executive orders that appointed Court of Appeal judges.
In the picture shared by his office, Ruto was flanked by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, as well as former Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba and former Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.
While Mr Chirchir is currently serving as Ruto's Chief of Staff and Mr Namwamba as advisor on international relations, the two are among leaders waiting in the wings for formal appointments in the new administration.
Chirchir was appointed Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Energy and Petroleum by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 but was suspended and later sacked alongside three other CSs.
He has since played a significant role in the Jubilee and Kenya Kwanza elections in 2017 and 2022 respectively.
In March, Ruto appointed Chirchir Chief of Staff in the Office of the Deputy President following the death of Ken Osinde.
The two enjoy a cordial relationship that dates back to 2012, when Ruto was assembling his political party, the United Republican Party (URP) after an acrimonious exit from ODM.
Another person who has kept his place beside Ruto is Korir Sing’oei, a lawyer who served as Legal Advisor at the Executive Office of the Deputy President.
Sing’oei was prominent during the signing of the executive order, a role that would have ordinarily been reserved for Attorney General Kihara Kariuki. As Ruto crafts his administration and the expected departure of Uhuru loyalists, Sing’oei could likely settle in the new Kenya Kwanza administration as Solicitor General or Attorney General.
Having shown eagerness to get down to work, the president is likely to announce his picks for the Cabinet as soon as the end of this week or early next week.
His administration could potentially feature more women in prominent roles, especially in Cabinet as he promised them half the slots.
Among women emerging as early contenders are Telecommunications Principal Secretary Esther Koimett and Lands CS Farida Karoney. Ruto could also go for some loyalists in his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party such as Kandara MP Alice Wahome and former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa.
Other party loyalists who could leave the legislature to join Ruto in the Executive are Garissa Township MP Aden Duale and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
The duo is reportedly prepared to resign their seats in Parliament to take up Cabinet slots.
Some of those whose appointments in government seem like a matter of when rather than if is ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi who could make a comeback to the Cabinet after more than a decade and could be set for a bigger reward if elevated to Prime Cabinet Secretary according to a pre-election agreement.
Former Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki could also be set for a senior government position after he was overlooked in favour of DP Gachagua as Ruto's running mate.
Prof Kindiki has been a constant Ruto ally since his trial at International Criminal Court in The Hague where he represented the DP.
The president is also likely to feel inclined to give back to the former senator after he prevailed upon him to drop his bid for Tharaka Nithi governor for a national position.
Former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua is another one expected to feature. He closed ranks with Ruto earlier this year and helped the Kenya Kwanza campaign in Eastern.
The proximity Dr Mutua has had to the transition process - he was present and on the front line after a meeting between the Committee for the Assumption of Office of the President. He was also at State House on Wednesday during the swearing-in of judges of the Appellate Court.
So too was immediate former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, a Ruto man who was seconded to the transition committee.
Muturi, a former magistrate, could also feature in the government.
For regional balance, Ruto could give Rift Valley three Cabinet slots, Central three positions, Coast one slot, Eastern two slots and North Eastern one position.
Former Trade PS Chris Kiptoo, former Energy CS Charles Keter and Julius Korir could feature prominently in Ruto's Cabinet.
Former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, Charles Nyachae and former Nairobi deputy governor Jonathan Mueke could also be surprise pick for either Cabinet Secretary or Principal Secretary posts.
As things take shape, Namwamba has come out ahead, potentially for the Foreign Affairs docket, judging by the prominent role he is playing in Ruto's diplomatic engagements.
Since he assumed office, the president has met with a number Heads of State, foreign dignitaries and representatives of the governments of Eswatini, Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, France, Germany, US, Egypt, Algeria. Namwamba was at hand in all those meetings.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the former Budalang'i MP the Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 26, 2018. In February 2022, he resigned to serve as Ruto’s diaspora chief campaigns officer. - Allan Mungai, The Standard
A collage of Reuben Kigame, DP Rigathi Gachagua, President William Ruto and Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi.
Gospel singer and social activist Reuben Kigame has called out President William Ruto’s administration for ‘overdoing religion.’
Kigame argued there was evangelical overrepresentation during Ruto’s inauguration, saying the presidency should observe Article 27 of the Constitution.
“I know I will be bashed but I need to be truthful and accountable to the nation. I think the Ruto administration is overdoing religion. While we acknowledge the hand of God in bringing us this far, the presidency must observe Article 27 of the constitution
“During the inauguration, the evangelical wing of the church was overrepresented. this was unnecessary. I do not know what the transition committee intended to prove to Kenya and the watching world,” he said.
Article 27 of the Constitution speaks on equality and freedom from discrimination and states that every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law.
It further states ‘The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.’
Kigame said the church should play a neutral role in governance but should not shy away from correcting the top leaders when they stray.
DP Rigathi Gachagua, President William Ruto, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and other leaders during a thanksgiving service at PCEA Githunguri. [Standard]
“I am a committed Christian who believes in prayer and believe God has helped us this far and we will continue to trust Him for the future of Kenya, but I hope that issues such as lowering food prices will not be met with State House saying, “let’s pray about it.“
“I strongly believe that the church should play A neutral, prophetic, balanced and truthful role in order to provide a true spiritual direction for the country. it should congratulate the king but also be prepared to tell the king that he is naked should he be,” he said. By Vincent Kejitan, The Standard
Deputy President William Ruto (left) and lawyer Miguna Miguna right in a collage dated November 18, 2021 FILE
Exiled Lawyer Miguna Miguna has all the reasons to smile after President William Ruto lifted red alerts issued against him.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 13, the outspoken lawyer noted that he had received assurance from the Commander-in-Chief over his exile status.
He was informed that the red alerts would be lifted by Wednesday, September 14 - barely 24 hours after Ruto took over as Kenya's fifth President.
Miguna further noted that after the assurance, he has set plans in motion for his return to his motherland.
Exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna in His Office in Canada in August 2021. FACEBOOK MIGUNA MIGUNA
"I'm happy to announce that President William Ruto has assured me that the red alerts will be lifted on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
"Thereafter, I will have my Kenyan Passport renewed and I'll announce the date of my return to my motherland. Bravo!" announced Miguna.
The lawyer's woes date back to March 2018 when he was exiled to Canada for conducting a mock swearing-in ceremony of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Since then, Miguna, who holds Canadian Citizenship alongside that of Kenya, got embroiled in a tussle with the Kenyan Government in his attempt to fly back.
He also demanded that the red alerts be lifted and his Kenyan passport renewed - indicating that he had packed his bags in readiness for the 15-hour flight.
"To all patriots: Relax. Thanks for the solidarity. Yes, I've packed my bags and I'm ready. But before I can take my flight back home, William Samoei Ruto must first be sworn in as President, the red alerts lifted and my Kenyan passport renewed. See you soon. Cheers!" he stated at the time.
Ruto's promise
During his US tour, the president-elect had initially affirmed that his administration would bring back the exiled lawyer within the shortest time possible.
"We will bring back Miguna Miguna in the country within the shortest time possible. This is because he's Kenyan and even if he has committed a crime, we have laws in place that he would be tried against. I don't see any need for having refugees from other countries while our very own is a refugee in another country," Ruto stated during the tour.
William Rut taking the Oath of Office as the fifth President of Kenya alongside his wife Racheal Ruto on September 13, 2022 KENYANS.CO.KE
William Ruto takes oath of office as Kenya's fifth President at Kasarani stadium on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. PHOTO/State House Kenya/Facebook
William Ruto is Kenya's fifth President.
The Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader, who has served as President Uhuru Kenyatta's deputy for 10 years, was sworn into office in a colourful ceremony held at the Kasarani stadium on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
The oath of office was administered by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi before Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome, in line with the provisions of the constitution.
The instruments of power include the Kenyan constitution and the presidential ceremonial sword.
Ruto wins presidency
Ruto, 55, defeated long-serving opposition leader Raila Odinga and three others in the polls conducted on August 9, 2022.
Raila challenged Ruto's election at the Supreme Court but the case was dismissed on September 5, paving way for Ruto's swearing-in.
Reacting to the judgement Raila said: "We have taken note of the decision of the Supreme Court on the Presidential election held on August 9th, 2022. We have always stood for the rule of law and the constitution. In this regard, we respect the opinion of the court although we vehemently disagree with their decision today."
The former prime minister maintained that the August 9 presidential poll was not credible.
"Our lawyers proffered irrefutable evidence and the facts were on our side, unfortunately, the judges saw it otherwise. We find it incredible that the judges found against us on all nine (9) grounds and occasions resulted in unduly exaggerated language to refute our claims," he added.
"This judgement is by no means the end of our movement, in fact, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to transform this country into a prosperous democracy where each and every Kenyan can find their full belonging."
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati had, on August 15, 2022, declared that Ruto won the election with 7,176, 141 votes, which is 50.49% of the total votes cast against Raila's 6, 942, 930 votes (48.85%). By Wycliffe Nyamasege, K24
More than 50 million people are victims of what the UN considers 'modern slavery', i.e. invisible chains associated with forced labour or unwanted marriages that are widespread not only in poor countries.
The Modern Slavery Report, prepared by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), estimates that 28 million people live as labour slaves and some 22 million suffer forced marriages.
In 2016, the global estimate was just ten million, evidence of the extent to which exploitation has become widespread. Experts have stressed that women and children are particularly vulnerable.
Modern slavery, however, does not understand macroeconomic data, as more than half of forced labour and a quarter of marriages are in countries that are at least middle-income.
In the case of forced labour, the vast majority, 86 percent, is in the private sector, while sexual exploitation alone accounts for 23 percent of the total. Among the victims are 3.3 million minors, mainly girls.
Women are also the main victims of forced marriages, a scourge that the UN itself admits is unmanageable in terms of data, since the 22 million reported in the latest report do not include all cases of child marriages.
More than 85 percent of the cases stem from family pressure and almost two-thirds are confined to the Asia-Pacific region. In Arab countries, the prevalence of forced marriages is around 4.8 per thousand.
The Director General of the IOM, António Vitorino, has appealed to the "urgency" of ensuring, for example, that migration is "safe, orderly and regular". It is not in vain that migrants are three times more likely to suffer this modern form of slavery.
For the director of the ILO, Guy Rider, it is "shocking" that the situation is not improving, despite the theoretical global awareness. For this reason, he called for "effective national policies and regulations", but also pointed out that "governments cannot do this alone" and require the cooperation of all parties, including trade unions and employers. By Daniel Stewart, 360 News
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