The ceremony was expected to take place at the grounds from 10 am.
The swearing-in ceremony of Deputy President designate Kithure Kindiki was reportedly called off at the last minute, having been scheduled for Saturday, October 19 at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
The ceremony was expected to take place at the grounds from 10 am. However, spot checks by Viral Tea showed little activity going on at the grounds, with the park out of bounds to the media and curious members of the public.
However, preparations as of this morning were ongoing for a concert that was planned earlier, and we have established that the Malaika Musical Festival is set to take place later tonight.
Musician Prince Indah, according to a ticketing platform, “is performing live this 19th at Uhuru Gardens.” The tickets were ranging for between Ksh1,000 and Ksh10,000. Other artists are Emma Jalamo, Waithaka Wa Jane, and Costa Ojwang.
Activity at Uhuru Gardens as of October 19, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE
However, this does not mean that the planned swearing-in ceremony will still not take place, having been called off following a notice issued by the High Court on Friday, October 18 that prompted the suspension of the event.
The Star had on Saturday reported that the expected swearing-in has been pushed to next week, with plans to have Kindiki take the oath of office having been at an advanced stage, as of Friday, before the halting. This means that the DP designate will have to wait until the orders are vacated, for the process to continue.
NTV reported that State House, following the suspension of the event, might move to court to challenge the High Court’s order stopping Rigathi Gachagua from being replaced.
On Friday, October 18, Moses Kuria, President William Ruto’s Senior Advisor Council of Economic Advisors, disclosed that the swearing-in ceremony would be held at the Uhuru Gardens with no requirement for those seeking to attend the exercise.
“The swearing-in will take place tomorrow at Uhuru Gardens from 9am. No cards required. Gates will be closed once the swearing-in arena is full. We cannot afford a Constitutional crisis. We cannot be another Sudan with 2 Presidents. For the sake of our nation and our families, we will swear in Kithure Kindiki as President in Waiting. Courts can deposit their ruling in the pigeonholes. Karibuni Uhuru Gardens 9am,” said Kuria.
While issuing the directive on Friday, October 18, Justice Chacha Mwita noted that the petition raised monumental constitutional issues touching not only at the heart of a functioning constitution but also its fundamental tenets of the rule of law and human rights.
“THAT in the meantime, due to the issues raised in the petition and application, and the urgency demonstrated, a conservatory order is hereby issued staying implementation of the resolution by the Senate upholding the impeachment charges against the petitioner, the Deputy President of Kenya, including the appointment of his replacement, until 24th October 2024 when the matter will be mentioned before the bench to be appointed by the Chief Justice, for appropriate orders and action,” the ruling seen by Viral Tea read in part.
Justice Chacha Mwita ordered the petitioner to immediately serve the application to the respondents with the judge further directing the respondents to file their applications in the next three days.
According to the High Court judge, the petition raised substantial questions of law and public interest and therefore fit to be heard by a bench of uneven number of judges to be appointed by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi. /FILE