Governors to take integrity oath as they a*sume office
During their swearing in today, governors-elect will be required to take an integrity oath in which they commit to uphold good governance and shun corruption.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chief executive Twalib Mbarak revealed that Chief Justice Martha Koome had acceded to their request to have the integrity oath administered by judicial officers appointed to swear in the governors.
“Signing of the integrity code is a commitment and pledge by the State Officer to the public that during their tenure of office, they will uphold integrity and will not engage in any form of corruption,” said Mbarak.
In the letter, Mbarak said although the law requires elected or appointed State officers sign and commit to the relevant leadership and integrity codes either at the time of taking the oath or within seven days of assuming office, he was of the view State officers should, for efficiency and effectiveness, do so at the time of taking the oath of office.
“In this regard, the EACC pursuant to its oversight and enforcement mandate under Section 4(2) of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2021, plans to enforce the aforementioned provisions of the law regarding signing and commitments to leadership and integrity codes by the newly elected State officers following the general election held on 9 August,” added Mbarak.
County symbols
The law stipulates that the oath or affirmation shall take place not earlier than 10am and not later than 2pm.
Upon subscribing to the oath, the governor is expected to sign a certificate of inauguration while the outgoing governor is required to hand over county symbols, including the flag, coat of arms, the Constitution and the public seal, as a sign of transfer of power and authority.
The law states that the swearing-in of the governor-elect shall occur in a public ceremony before a High Court judge.
The ceremonies will, however, not take place in Kakamega and Mombasa counties as the elections were postponed. Voting will take place on Monday.
In Nairobi, Justice Roselyn Aburili and Justice Caroline Kabucho will swear in Johnson Sakaja and his deputy James Muchiri at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Kiambu governor elect Kimani Wamatangi will be sworn in at Kirigiti International Stadium at a ceremony that will be overseen by Justice Stella Mutuku and Justice Emily Ominde.
Elaborate security
In Nyamira, security arrangements for the swearing in ceremony of Governor-elect Amos Nyaribo have been finalised.
County security boss Michael Lesmam told the press that the function would be held at Nyamira Primary School grounds.
“I want to assure those who would like to attend the ceremony that elaborate security has been put in place to ensure the function goes on smoothly,” Lesmam said.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and his deputy David Mwangi will be sworn in at the Asian Quarters Bus Park, Nyeri Town beginning 10am.
Narok governor-elect Patrick Ole Ntutu will be sworn in at the Ole Ntimama Stadium while Samburu’s Lati Lelelit will be sworn in at the Kenyatta Stadium, Maralal.
Kwale’s Fatuma Achani will be sworn in at the Kwale main stadium while in Isiolo, Governor-elect Abdi Hassan will take the oath at the Isiolo Boys High School.
Bungoma’s Ken Lusaka and his deputy Janepher Mbatiany will be sworn in at Kibabii University, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr of Makueni and deputy Lucy Mulili will take the oath of office at Unoa Grounds in Wote Town while Busia’s Paul Otuoma and his deputy Arthur Odera will be sworn in Busia town.
Meru governor-elect Kawira Mwangaza will take the oath of office at Kinoru Stadium, Embu’s Cecily Mbarire at Embu University grounds while Nyandarua’s Moses Kiarie will be sworn in at Arboretum grounds in Ol-Kalou.
In Uasin Gishu county, governor-elect Jonathan Bii, alias, Koti Moja will be sworn in at Eldoret Sports Club.
The chairman of the Assumption of the Office of Governor Committee Edwin Bett said the ceremony will start at 10am.
“Attendants are required to be seated by 9am,” Bett said during a press briefing at the county headquarters.
Bii, who was elected on a UDA ticket, is succeeding Jackson Mandago who was elected senator.
Elgeyo Marakwet governor-elect Wisley Rotich and his Baringo counterpart Benjamin Cheboi will also take oath of office today. Cheboi, who defeated the incumbent Stanley Kiptis, will be sworn in at Kabarnet ASK show grounds while Rotich will take his oath at Iten Sports Grounds.
Other governors who will take office today are Nandi’s Stephen Sang and West Pokot’s Simon Kachapin who trounced the incumbent John Lonyangapuo.
—Additional reporting by Evans Nyakundi and Wycliff Kipsang
