Presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta

The Presidency of H.E Uhuru Kenyatta began on 9 April 2013 after being sworn in as 4th president of Kenya. He succeeded Mwai Kibaki. During his inaugural speech Uhuru promised economic transformation by 2030 , unity among all Kenyans, free maternal care and that he would serve all Kenyans.[1][2][3] In 2017, he won a second term on 8 August and upon a Supreme Court verdict, the results were repealed. The resulting elections were controversial as Raila Odinga boycotted the elections and as the only other active candidate, he won by a 98% victory with the lowest turn out. A stalemate would result as Raila and His partners would carry out a parallel swearing in ceremony after Kenyatta's swearing in. Riots would break out as Raila entered the country resulting in a number of deaths. On 28 March the two partnered to form the Building bridges initiative ending the tense political atmosphere present in the country.

Presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta
9 April 2013 – present
Uhuru Kenyatta
PartyJubilee Party
SeatState House, Nairobi
 
 
Current Presidential Standard

Transition period

When the first round of the presidential election took place on 4 March 2013, Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the president-elect of Kenya by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Raila Odinga challenged this in the Supreme Court of Kenya. However, his petition was dismissed on 30 March 2013.

Inauguration
Main article: Inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta 2013

After the supreme court dismissed Raila petition, the swearing in ceremony was held on 9 April 2013 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi. According to Article 141 (2) (b) of the constitution says that in case the Supreme Court upholds the victory of the president-elect, the swearing in will take place on "the first Tuesday following the seventh day following the date on which the court renders a decision declaring the election to be valid."[4]

During his inaugural address he promised the following:[5][6]

  • Achieving peace and strengthening unity will be the major goal of his Government.
  • He would ensure that maternity fees are abolished and that all citizens of Kenya are able to access government dispensaries and health centers free of charge.
  • He will develop a framework to direct the 6 billion Kenya Shillings previously allocated for the election run-off towards establishing a new Youth and Women Fund that will be open to the youth and women from every part of this country.
  • He will put measures in place to ensure that all students, joining class one next year, within the public school system receive a laptop

Policy

Kenyatta promised that he would boost the country's key agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as well as reducing the high unemployment rates, by encouraging Kenyan to buy local products. He further outlined 9 pillars that his government will be based on:[7][8]

  • Honest and transparent government, with public services that are open and accountable to the people.
  • Swiftly end corruption
  • Devolution in full
  • Protect rights and freedoms
  • Ensure peace for citizens
  • Job creation
  • Streamline government
  • Extend basic services (Water and electricity) to every Kenyan.
  • Implement the new Constitution

Economy

Deputy president promised the economic transformation especially in areas of Agriculture and tourism in his inaugural speech[9]

Foreign Policy

The government ordered all its 52 ambassador and high commissioner back into the country for briefing and consultations with the new administration. They were given 7 days.[10][11]

Foreign Trips
Further information: List of international presidential trips made by Uhuru Kenyatta

He made his first trip out of the country on 27 April 2013 to Arusha. He attended the 11th Extra-Ordinary Summit of East African Community Heads of State.[12][13]

On 3 May, Uhuru made a trip to Ethiopia to attend the 21st Extraordinary IGAD Summit. He later had talks with his host, Hailemariam Desalegn.[14][15]

Uhuru visited the UK under invitation of PM David Cameron on 5 May 2013. He addressed a conference in London on Somalia. He later had a bilateral talk with Mr Cameron.[16]

Uhuru visited South Africa on 9 May 2013 to attend the world economic forum. He held bilateral talks with Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa.[17]

On 24 May 2013, he visited South Sudan on his way to Ethiopia for the African Union's 50th anniversary celebration.[18]

Uhuru visited Uganda on 24 June 2013 and the next week- on 1 July 2013 he visited Burundi.[19]

On 14 July 2013, he attended AU conference in Abuja, Nigeria,[20] and later passed through Kinshasa on his way back.[21]

On 3 August 2013, Mr Kenyatta visited Uganda where he was attending a Heads of State meeting for countries contributing troops to the African peace-keeping mission in Somalia. He also met Raila Odinga during the visit.[22]

Kenyatta visited Russia on 16 August 2013 in an effort to grow new markets for Kenyan produce in Europe. After Russia, he visited China after invitation of H. E. Xi Jinping, with a delegate of 60 businessmen and 5 Governors. On his way back he briefly stopped over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where the President further discussed on promoting Kenya's trade agenda.[23][24]

On 20 August 2019, Kenyatta visited Jamaican for Independence day celebrations[25] President Uhuru and Raila impress US Congress with Handshake agreement.[26]

Personnel

Cabinet secretaries
Cabinet of Kenya[27]
Incumbent Portfolio Incumbent Term
 President
Head of State and Head of Government of Kenya
Commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defence Forces		 H.E. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H 2013–present
 Deputy President H.E. Hon. Dr. William Ruto, EGH, EBS 2013–present
 Interior and Coordination of National Government Hon. Dr. Fred Okengo Matiang'i, E.G.H 2017-present
Petroleum and Mining Hon. John K. Munyes, E.G.H
Environment and Forestry Hon. Keriako Tobiko, C.B.S
Devolution and the ASALS Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, E.G.H
Water and Sanitation Hon. Simon Chelugui
Finance / National Treasury and Planning Hon. Amb. Ukur Yatani Kanacho
Sports, Culture and Heritage Hon. Amb. Dr. Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril
Education Hon. Prof. George A.O Magoha
Transport, Infrastructure, Housing,Urban Development and Public Works Hon. James Wainaina Macharia, E.G.H|James Macharia
Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation Peter Munya
Foreign Affairs & International Trade Raychelle Omamo
Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Hon. Prof. Margaret Kobia, M.G.H
Tourism and Wildlife Hon. Najib Balala, E.G.H
Energy Hon. Charles Keter, E.G.H
Health Hon. Mutahi Kagwe
Labour & Social Protection Hon. Amb. Ukur Yattani Kanacho
Defence Hon. Amb. Raychelle A. Omamo E.G.H
Lands and Physical Planning Hon. Farida Chepchumba Karoney
Industry, Trade and Co-operatives Hon. Peter Munya, M.G.H
Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Hon. Joe Mucheru, E.G.H
East African Community (EAC) and Regional Development Hon. Adan Abdulla Mohammed, E.G.H
Also attends Cabinet

Attorney General

 Paul Kihara Kariuki

Head of Public Service

 Dr. Joseph Kinyua, EGH

Other Major Appointees

Francis Kimemia as Secretary to the cabinet

Lawrence Lenayapa as Statehouse Comptroller

Kaplana Rawal as Deputity Chief Justice of Kenya[28]

Manoah Esipisu as secretary of communication and head Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU). He will be assisted by Eric N'Geno, Edward Irungu, Munyoku Boru, James Kinyua, Dennis Itumbi[29]

See also

References
  1. Uhuru Kenyatta puts economy and unity top of his government agenda. Business Daily access 12 April 2013.
  2. I WILL SERVE ALL KENYANS, SAYS UHURU The Star
  3. Uhuru pledges to unite country as he takes over reins of power. Daily Nation
  4. Inauguration ceremony on 9 April at the Kasarani Stadium Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. President Uhuru Kenyatta Lays Out Plans for His First 100 Days in Office. Mwakilishi.date 13 April
  6. Laptops coming next year, pledges Uhuru Lordrick Mayabi. Capital FM. Date 12 April.
  7. Uhuru banks on buying local to propel growth. VICTOR JUMA
  8. President Uhuru's tough agenda for Kenya. Daily Nation
  9. We'll build on Kibaki's pillar - Ruto. The Star
  10. Govt recalls all Ambassadors and High Commissioners. Daily Nation. acc date 30 April 2013
  11. Kenya: Envoys Were Recalled for Briefing Not Sacking - PS. The Star. acc date 30 April 2013
  12. [Uhuru Attends His First EAC Summit in Arusha. Citizen.Acc Date 30 April 2013 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. President Kenyatta in Arusha for EAC Extra-Ordinary Summit. Daily Nation. Acc Date 30 April 2013
  14. Uhuru Kenyatta Speech at IGAD Meeting. Statehouse Kenya. acc date 7 May 2013 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. Uhuru meets Ethiopian PM. Oliver Mathenge. Star Newspaper
  16. British PM invites Uhuru for visit. Daily Nation. acc date 6 May 2013
  17. Photos:Uhuru holds talks with President Jacob Zuma of SA. Capital FM. acc date 15 May 2013
  18. Mathenge, Oliver. "Uhuru's Record 28 Trips in First Year". The Star. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  19. President Uhuru on official Uganda visit Archived 26 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Uhuru jets out to Nigeria to attend HIV summit". Capital FM. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  21. Mathenge, Oliver. "Uhuru's Record 28 Trips in First Year". The Star. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  22. Secrets of Raila, Uhuru meeting. Daily Nation
  23. Judy Nguta. Standard Media. President Uhuru Kenyatta to visit Russia, China
  24. Mathenge, Oliver. "Uhuru's Record 28 Trips in First Year". The Star. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  25. "President Kenyatta to visit Jamaica next month". KDRTV. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  26. Kenyatta, Uhuru. "President Uhuru and Raila impress US Congress with Handshake agreement". KDRTV. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  27. Kubania, Jacqueline (25 November 2015). "President Kenyatta reshuffles cabinet, expands state departments". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  28. Kimemia retained, Lenayapa new State House head
  29. President Kenyatta reforms State House media department Archived 5 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
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