‘President-Elect’: New Bill Approved By Cabinet Proposes Sh10m Fine or 10 Years Imprisonment To State Officers Who Obstruct Transition.

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Cabinet has approved the Assumption of Office of President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2024, a bill aimed at streamlining the presidential transition process and imposing strict penalties on any state or public officer who obstructs it.

The bill, which will now be presented to Parliament for further deliberation, consolidates all procedures related to the assumption of office by the President-elect and the transfer of executive powers into one comprehensive legislative framework.

Among its most notable provisions, the bill proposes severe penalties for individuals who impede the transition, including fines of up to KSh 10 million, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

In a statement after the final Cabinet meeting of the year, President William Ruto highlighted the bill’s importance in ensuring a smooth, unified transition of power, which he described as a critical step for the country’s democratic stability.

“This bill will close the gaps that have previously undermined seamless transitions, and it will safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s leadership,” he noted.

The bill also includes provisions that ensure the security of the President-elect and Deputy President-elect, granting them protection equivalent to that of the sitting President and Deputy President.

Furthermore, the law accounts for scenarios where the outgoing President cannot attend the swearing-in ceremony. In such cases, the absence will not invalidate the process.

In addition to securing the orderly transition of executive authority, the bill proposes that current Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries remain in office until their replacements are appointed, ensuring continuity in government operations during the transition period.

“The provisions we are putting in place will not only guarantee smooth transitions, but they will also provide the necessary framework for effective governance even as new leaders take office,” read the statement.

As the year ends, President Ruto expressed his gratitude to the Cabinet for their hard work and commitment to driving the country’s transformative agenda, emphasizing that the focus has remained on long-term solutions rather than populist measures.

“It is not about some people, but all the people of Kenya,” he concluded.