William Ruto’s 48 hours on sweet seat of power

Acting President William Ruto arrives at the Office of the President, Harambee House, Nairobi on Tuesday morning. [PHOTO BY REBECCA NDUKU/STANDARD]

Kenya: A limousine ride in a ten-car motorcade, a quick photo session, a mushy Facebook post and a peep in the official diary of President Uhuru Kenyatta. That is how Deputy President (DP) William Ruto began his day at Harambee House as he warmed the seat for his Netherlands-bound boss on Tuesday morning.

The DP, who temporarily bore the designation of Acting President, left his official home in Nairobi’s Karen area, sirens blaring.

He had a clear road ahead in the ride to Harambee House. The motorcycle outriders and the ten cars with red plates emblazoned ‘President’s Escort’ were an ornamental symbol of the new status.

At around 8am, Ruto took a left turn, ignored his former office at Harambee House Annex, on his way to President Kenyatta’s office in Harambee House. There was a small crowd of early-rising Kenyans going to work who watched as the motorcade of high-end cars snaked in to the presidential address.

The doors opened so quickly, Ruto did not even get time to put on his jacket. He simply carried it in his left hand, as he shook hands with some of his staff using his right hand. All this time, he was surrounded by a phalanx of the mean-looking suit-wearing elite paramilitary officers who handle presidential security.

He climbed the short staircase to the door, walked past the reception, took the VIP elevator to the second floor and then walked briskly on the carpeted corridor to President Kenyatta’s office. He found President Kenyatta’s diary on the table. He opened it, and checked the pending assignments. He made a mental note to tackle those. He sank into Kenyatta’s seat, posed for pictures, and then checked his official Facebook page.

“UK (Uhuru Kenyatta), I stand with you as my brother, my leader, my boss and my President. As we navigate strange and unprecedented paths, I reiterate our conviction that in time, all will be well and we will be vindicated,” the Deputy President, now wearing the ‘Acting President’s’ hat, posted on the social network.

Ruto had a 48-hour tenure in the seat of Power, and he was a man in a hurry not to let down the substantive holder of the seat, who had taken a trip to the International Criminal Court to answer charges of crimes against humanity. Ruto has taken that trip many times. It was Uhuru’s first trip to The Hague in three years.

Director of Communication in the Deputy President’s Office, Emmanuel Talam, says that morning was an exciting moment despite the huge and unusual pile of work. He says the DP had to deal with his own diary as well as that of Uhuru’s, making it an unusual setting.

“It was rather confusing, especially the first few minutes, but as you know Bill (as the DP is commonly referred) is an easy going man; we adapted to the system soon after,” says one of Ruto’s confidants who spoke off-the-record.

 

Though Ruto did not have the power to hire or fire Cabinet Secretaries, there were a vast number of functions Ruto performed and others which he could do as Acting President.

“Of course, it was an exciting experience but there was additional pressure of work for all of us. The DP had to clear his own diary as well as that of the President, since he could not cancel his programme,” Talam says.

Ruto knew he was already making history by being the second Acting President in Kenya. His political mentor, President Daniel arap Moi, took over constitutionally as Acting President for 90 days after Kenya’s founding father, President Jomo Kenyatta, passed on in August 1978.

Kimutai Keitany, Director of Operations at the Office the DP, recalls that although he remained at the DP’s office, his job was quite unusual because he had to refer some of the visitors who wanted to see the DP’s new office or have some appointments canceled.

“The office was generally good and everybody was excited although it later turned out to be a very busy day since the DP was actually running two offices. The DP had to first clear what was on the President’s table before embarking on what was on his diary,” Keitany says.

The DP had moved to his new office along with his top officers, including Chief of Staff Maryanne Keitany, Communications Secretary David Mugonyi and Private Secretary Reuben Maiyo, who worked under Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua in managing the Acting President’s affairs.

Talam further pointed out that Ruto’s meetings, especially on the first day, were purely based on the President’s diary.

The Acting President received an official brief from Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua as is the norm.

He later met Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPs), Grete Faremo, who was accompanied by United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Nardos Bekele-Thomas.

He also met Kenya National Commission for Unesco officials led by Evangeline Njoka - the deputy secretary general - before meeting Information, Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

Ruto’s second day in office according to Talam was equally busy.

“He presided over the opening of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre grounds after launching the Business Environment Delivery Unit,” Talam added.

And while resuming office, President Uhuru, in his usual ‘casual’ manner, recognised Ruto’s efforts for the short time he temporarily became President.

“Asante kwa kuchunga kiti (Thank you for taking care of my position). Well done. Thank you very much. Naona diary haina kitu (I can see the diary is empty). God is Good,” Uhuru said at his Harambee House office on Thursday.

 

Political intrigues

The glamour that came with being Acting President aside, Ruto’s close political allies think it is a plus for the coalition and almost a clear reflection of what is likely to happen in future.

Moiben MP and a close ally of the DP, Mr Silas Tiren, said it was a constitutional provision for the President to cede powers to his deputy, but the fact that he trusted him was desirable.

“It is normal constitutionally for the President to hand over power to his deputy while away, but politically speaking, the future is bright. This situation seems to prepare people psychologically, especially those who think otherwise, and is a clear indication that this coalition is here to stay,” Tiren said.

His Kesses counterpart, James Bett, lauded President Uhuru for not only adhering to the law but also trusting the DP, adding that the Jubilee coalition is even stronger.

“What just happened sends a strong message to self-declared rebels that the writings are clear on the wall and they should support Ruto. We are hopeful that in 2022 we will join hands and support him (Ruto),” Bett said.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who has been branded a ‘sycophant’ of the Jubilee coalition by his political rebels, took to Twitter, saying, “Fast Forward to 2022.”TODAY” will be replayed....when William Ruto will be inaugurated.”

Political analysts argue that it was indeed a brilliant move for the Head of State to step aside to satisfy all the obligations that faced him at that moment.

“For one, President Uhuru had an obligation of attending the status conference in person to avoid repercussions like arrest. The African Union (AU) had equally passed a resolution that no sitting Head of State should appear before an international court. His move was therefore well calculated,” said Prof Macharia Munene, a Professor of History and International Relations at the United States International University (USIU).

“Uhuru’s political adviser deserves credit. Whoever advised him is definitely a political genius,” he added.

He reiterated that Uhuru’s decision has given the ruling coalition political mileage as those who expected Uhuru to defy court orders now appear ‘ridiculous.’

By transferring his powers to the Deputy President Ruto, Uhuru signed a legal notice as provided for under Article 147(3) of the Constitution. This provision allows the Deputy President to act as President when the holder of the seat is absent or incapacitated.