"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act and Section 3 (b) and 12 (3) of the Assumption of Office of President Act, declares Friday the 1st of November, 2024 to be a public holiday, being the date of swearing-in of the Deputy President-designate," read the gazette notice signed by Mudavadi.
And as the government printer was publishing gazette notices, Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba was issuing a directive to the effect that despite the swearing-in ceremony, the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) would continue.
"Consequently, all members of the multi-agency examination administration team are instructed to report to work as scheduled to ensure that all examination activities of the day are well executed in line with Ministry of Education guidelines. This directive shall also apply to all other basic education institutions that are in session,'' the directive read in part.
At the same time, civil servants and heads of parastatals and their members of staff were also summoned to the event perhaps to get numbers and avoid the perception that the event was poorly attended.
Police officers from different stations were hurriedly convened to conduct drills at night to ensure smooth activities yesterday. This happened as seats and tents were being mounted.
Entertainers who included dancers and artists were also invited late at night to ensure the smooth running of the programme that ended some minutes before noon.
Finally, the event came into being with the majority of the participants being government employees, government-allied MPs, senators and members of the Judiciary.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga who recently forged a working alliance with President Ruto was conspicuously missing and did not post congratulatory messages in his social media page.
However, acting ODM party leader Anyang Nyong and the party's chairperson Gladys Wanga took to social media to congratulate Kindiki announcing that they were looking to partner with him
"This is a pivotal moment for our nation where unity, progress and addressing the needs of every Kenyan are crucial," wrote Wanga.
Azimio co-principals who include Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) Martha Karua (Narc Kenya) Jeremiah Kioni (Jubilee) Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) gave the event a wide berth.