Kenya: Kibaki May Be in Office Untill June

President Mwai Kibaki may be in office till June this year, if we have a run off and a petition challenging the second round results.

According to the law, a candidate for president will be declared duly elected if he or she garners 50 plus one of the total votes cast and at least 25 per cent of the votes in half of the 47 Counties.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga of the Cord coalition, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta of Jubilee and Musalia Mudavadi of Amani are all fighting to succeed president Kibaki.

Others are: Martha Karua of Narc Kenya, Peter Kenneth of Eagle Alliance, James ole Kiyiapi of RBK, Paul Muite of Safina and Mohamed Abduda Dida ARK.

Their respective running mates are: Kalonzo Musyoka (Cord), William Ruto (Jubilee), Jeremiah Kioni (Amani), Augustine Lotodo (Narc Kenya), Ronnie Osumba (Eagle), Winnie Kaburu Kinyua (RBK), Shem Ochuodho (Safina) and Joshua Odongo Onono (ARK).

If no candidate achieves 50 plus one votes, a run off pitting the first and second candidates will be held. According to the calender released yesterday by the Head of Public service Francis Kimemia, Kibaki will remain in office until a new president is sworn in.

In case of a dispute in the presidential poll set for next month, a petition filed in court will be heard and determined paving way for the swearing in on April 16.

If none of the eight presidential candidates manage 50 plus votes and there is no petition filed, then the country will go for a second round within 30 days. If this cenario prevails then the president-elect will take the oath of office on April 30.

Kimemia who chairs a the committee preparing for the smooth handover, said yesterday that incase the president elect died before the swearing in ceremony, the deputy president will be sworn in as president. A fresh election will be held within 60 days.

Kimemia said that all other elected leaders will be sworn in immediately. “All the eight presidential candidates and their running mates will be given state security. Since IEBC declared then presidential candidates we have given them security and so they nolonger walk around like before,” said Kimemia.

The committee has settled on Nyayo stadium as a tentative venue for the swearing in ceremony due to security concerns.

“We will work with the private sector to ensure that we conduct a very top notch swearing-in ceremony,” Kimemia stated.

Inspector General of police David Kimaiyo told the same media briefing that all the eight presidential candidates have adequate security.

He said those who did not have before have been allocated police officers while those that had and felt they needed more have had their security details beefed up. Kimaiyo said plans are in place to ensure an orderly handing over of power.

“All Kenyans should conduct themselves in a manner that respects the constitution. You should go straight to your house after voting. If your candidate has won you should celebrate in your house, if not, wait for the next elections,” he said.

The chief registrar of the Judiciary, Gladys Boss Shollei said petition cases arising out of the election will be dealt with without delay.