The Cabinet chaired by President William Ruto has approved the Assumption of Office of President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2024.
The proposed bill, which will be presented to the National Assembly for consideration, consolidates the procedures for the assumption of office and the transfer of executive authority into a single legislative framework.
If approved, the bill will seal gaps and ensure smooth and unified presidential transitions in Kenya.
The bill introduces stricter penalties for state and public officers who obstruct the transition, proposing fines of up to KSh 10 million, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
It also proposes that the president-elect and deputy president-elect receive security arrangements equivalent to those of the sitting president and deputy president.
"To account for unforeseen circumstances, the bill addresses scenarios where the outgoing President cannot attend the swearing-in ceremony. In such cases, the handover of instruments of power will be omitted without affecting the validity of the swearing-in process," the proposed bill reads.The proposed law also ensures continuity in government operations by allowing Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries to remain in office until new appointments are made by the incoming administration.
