Ruto to take charge for two weeks

Deputy President William Ruto at a past function. He will be left in charge of the country for the next two weeks as the President embarks on a foreign trip to Belgium, Rwanda, Turkey and Britain. PHOTO/FILE 

In Summary

• President Kenyatta will visit Belgium, Rwanda, Turkey and Britain in that order.
• Mr Ruto will take over a day after his trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague reopened.
• Article 147(3) of the Constitution says: “Subject to Article 134, when the President is absent or temporarily incapacitated, and during any other period that the President decides, the Deputy President shall act as the President.”

By Nation Reporter
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Deputy President William Ruto will be left in charge of the country for the next two weeks as the President embarks on a foreign trip.

President Kenyatta will visit Belgium, Rwanda, Turkey and Britain in that order.

Mr Ruto will take over a day after his trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague reopened.

Mr Kenyatta’s case is scheduled to begin in October at the request of the ICC prosecutor, but the President has asked the court to throw it out altogether.

The President’s 14-day whirlwind tour is largely arising from his role as the chairman of the East African Community (EAC), but it could also be a sign of warming diplomatic relations between the Jubilee administration on the one hand and the European Union and Britain on the other.

Mr Kenyatta’s prolonged absence — the longest by any Kenyan President since independence — means that Mr Ruto will step in to perform the functions of the President as provided for by the Constitution.

DEPUTY ‘SHALL ACT'

Article 147(3) of the Constitution says: “Subject to Article 134, when the President is absent or temporarily incapacitated, and during any other period that the President decides, the Deputy President shall act as the President.”

Article 134, however, bars the Deputy President from executing some of the core functions of the President, which include sacking or hiring of judges of superior courts, constitutional office holders, Cabinet and Principal Secretaries and ambassadors. He does not also have powers to pardon convicts.

The law is meant to ensure continuity of the government in the absence of the President whether he is incapacitated or have travelled.

Monday, State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said Mr Kenyatta’s trip would result in improved foreign investments while opening opportunities for Kenyan exports.

He said that when the President visited Nigeria last year, the West African country’s leaders reciprocated the visit, which brought on board billionaire Aliko Dangote who will invest Sh34.4 billion in a new cement factory in Kitui.