No cash for President's inauguration ceremony-Treasury

david nganga

July 31, 2017 3:05 PM

Cash meant for the inauguration of the country's next President is missing in the National Budget

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The inauguration ceremony of Kenya’s next President faces a quandary as cash meant for the major event is missing in the national budget for the current financial year.

The Treasury says the $3.7 million (KSh384.25 million) needed for a smooth political transition after the August poll was not factored in the budget for the year starting July.

This even after State House had in March lobbied MPs to include the cash in the Presidency budget for the occasion.

The Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Report released by the Treasury a week to the August 8 election indicates that the budget for the assumption of office remains unfunded to date.

The cash is among other things used to prepare the new head of State as well as facilitate communication between the outgoing and the incoming President.

It is also required for a top-level committee that will guide the transfer of power in the weeks between when the poll agency declares the presidential poll winner and the public swearing-in ceremony attended by heads of State and diplomats at taxpayers’ expense.

Eleven heads of State attended the April 2013 inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth President.

Under the Assumption of the Office of President Act, the swearing-in must be conducted at a public place in Nairobi between 10am and 2pm. The day is reserved as a public holiday.

President Kenyatta is running for a second and final five-year term on a Jubilee Party ticket and will face off with his main arch-rival National Super Alliance’s (NASA) Raila Odinga.

david nganga