Former US President Barrack Obama and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among high ranking world leaders invited to the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta.
Uhuru is set to be sworn-in on Tuesday next week at Kasarani Stadium.
All African heads of state under the African Union have been invited, a source at the Foreign Affairs ministry disclosed.
“A blanket invitation has been sent out to all heads of State from Africa and other parts of the world. As of now, it’s difficult to tell who will attend, but as a tradition, most of those under the AU will be present,” the source told the Star.
Commonwealth chairperson who is also Malta’s Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat has also been invited for the inauguration ceremony.
The Kenyan military has been at work preparing the venue for the auspicious occasion since Monday after the Supreme Court upheld Uhuru’s victory in October 26 repeat presidential elections.
On Wednesday, Chief of Defense Forces General Samson Mwathethe led the military in a full dress rehearsal of what is expected on Tuesday next week at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
In simulation of what is expected to happen on Tuesday, General Mwathethe rode in the Commander-in-Chief’s vehicle, a green Landcruiser with the Coat of Arms and initials CIC covered-they are only uncovered when the President rides in it.
Since Monday a sub-committee of the Assumption of Office tasked with organizing the event has been down to work.
The sub-committee is led by former Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu. It has been tasked with ensuring security, protocol and logistics are meticulously in place ahead of the inauguration day.
Irungu is also Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Interior.
He said they are working round the clock to ensure the day will be a success given that the stadium only has a capacity 60,000 people.
Thousands of Kenyans are expected to attend the fete. They will have to follow the proceedings of the event outside the stadium through screens to be mounted.
The Constitution demands that the President be sworn-in after seven days following a ruling of the court in the event the results are challenged.
The 22-member Committee of Assumption of Office of the President is tasked with organizing of the inauguration ceremony.
It is chaired by Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua. The ceremony must be held in public and in the presence of Chief Justice or the Deputy Chief Justice.
Attorney-General, Cabinet Secretaries for Interior ministry, Finance, Foreign Affairs, ICT, Constitutional Affairs, Devolution, and Culture and Social Services are also part of the committee.