Kindiki swearing-in: How gazette notices flew around in night of unusual efficiency
Immediately after a three-judge bench cleared the way for Prof Kindiki's swearing-in as Deputy President, the ‘System’ set in motion the next steps, leading to a flurry of gazette notices.
What you need to know:
- The first Gazette notice that hit the newsroom and social media was No. 14098 on the constitution of a 21-member committee.
- Back at KICC, tents were already being erected in readiness for Kindiki’s red-letter day, but the government was not done yet.
On the evening of Thursday October 31, it was raining gazette notices and late night invites as government operatives rushed to put everything in place ahead of Friday’s swearing-in ceremony of incoming Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, a swift display of urgency rarely seen before.
Immediately after a three-judge bench at the High Court lifted orders blocking the swearing-in of Prof Kindiki as Kenya’s Deputy President, signaling the end of the road for his impeached predecessor, the ‘System’ set in motion the next steps of installing the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Interior in his new position.
Mr Gachagua further suffered another blow after the High Court bench comprising Justices Erick Ogolla, Fredah Mugambi and Anthony Mrima declined to suspend its orders allowing the swearing-in of Mr Kindiki, saying the Appeals Court is seized of the matter.
Not even the absence of President William Ruto, who was in Burundi for a Comesa summit, could slow the evening and night activities which were keen on having the swearing-in ceremony run not only swiftly but smoothly by Friday morning.
What followed was a flurry of Gazette notices, all shared with newsrooms within minutes of each other on Thursday evening.
The first notice to hit newsrooms and social media circles was No. 14098 on the constitution of a 21-member committee chaired by Mercy Wanjau, the Secretary to the Cabinet, to oversee the Assumption of office of the Deputy President.
The committee convened within short notice and held a sitting at night to plan for the swearing-in ceremony, whose date was announced through another Gazette notice that came in minutes later.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that the swearing in ceremony of the Deputy President-Designate shall take place on Friday, November 1st at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi City County from 10 O’clock in the forenoon,” said Ms Wanjau vide a Gazette Notice 14100.
This was followed at supersonic speed by an invitation by Mr Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, extended to chairpersons and chief Executive Officers of State Corporations to the Friday’s event where they are required to arrive at the venue by 8.30 am.
Back at KICC, tents were already being erected in readiness for Kindiki’s red-letter day, but the government was not done yet.
Boom, another appointment was made making Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, acting CS for Interior just to ensure there was no vacancy, again.
The gentle man from Mulembe Nation never wasted time, flexing his new powers by issuing a Gazette notice declaring Friday November 1, a public Holiday.
For a while, Kenyans who were already questioning, criticising and at the same time getting wowed by the unfamiliar ‘Efficiency by government’, were relieved and suddenly thrown into celebrations after they were given an early long weekend break.
"Today the government is running at 997 per cent efficiency after that High Court ruling. It is Gazette notice after another. Someone will have to pour water on the government printers overnight so that they do not overheat," said Edward Otieno, a Kisumu resident in one of the WhatsApp groups.
The declaration of a holiday is, however, being viewed as another smart move by the State aimed at limiting Mr Gachagua’s chances to have the swearing halted through an appeal, since technically no petition can be filed to stop the ceremony as all judges will be off-duty.
The efficiency with which the government was moving demonstrated the urgency, speed and determination
It was evident from the start when a vacancy arose in the Office of the Deputy President on October 17, 2024 following a resolution by the Senate and hours later President Ruto nominated Prof Kindiki to fill the position on October 18, 2024.
The Assembly then through an affirmative vote confirmed the former Interior CS as the DP-Designate the same day.
However, lawsuits filed and interim orders issued on the same day put the Champagne on ice for the Kindiki after the courts barred him from assuming office.
The three-judge bench sitting in Nairobi would on Thursday October 31, however, give the greenlight for Prof Kindiki to ascend to the second most powerful seat in the country.
How things change, Mr Gachagua who woke up as an embattled Deputy President, today sleeps as a civilian, while his successor Prof Kindiki has the sun going down as a Deputy President.
