Final touches to Uhuru’s swearing in put in place

Head of presidential press service Isaiah Kabira (left) with security agents and journalists on April 05,2013 at Kasarani for rehearsals ahead of the swearing in ceremony of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta.

Final preparations for the Tuesday April 9 swearing in of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth president are in top gear.

Presidential Press Service director Isaya Kabira on Friday said the unit would provide live feed for media houses that do not have outside broadcasting vans.

Immediately after the ceremony and when the National Anthem is being played, President Kibaki’s standard will be lowered and Mr Kenyatta’s hoisted followed by the 21-gun salute.

On Friday, President Kibaki urged civil servants to support his successor. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by top public service officials in his honour at State House, Nairobi, he thanked them for supporting his administration for the last 10 years.

The Head of State said he was ready for retirement and that it was time Kenyans resumed work and stopped politicking.

“Lets work with each other. There’s no need of being jealous of your neighbour. It is foolish to be jealous towards a person who has been congratulated,” President Kibaki said.

The President said he had kept most of the pledges he made to Kenyans including increased tax collection, reform of public institutions and the promulgation of a new Constitution.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said Mr Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, should emulate President Kibaki’s tolerance.

“The time for national healing is now. Let’s get together and move the country together,” he said.

Mr Musyoka, who said Friday’s was one of his last official functions as VP, also hinted he was interested in being the leader of opposition in Parliament if he secures the nomination.

“We stand for a strong opposition for one nation,” Mr Musyoka said.

Speakers praised President Kibaki’s development record such as free primary and day secondary education, infrastructure development and improvement of public servants’ lot.

His administration was also praised for introducing “the ground-breaking performance contracting now replicated elsewhere worldwide”.

President Kibaki said his decade in power was not easy. “We have come a long way and it has not been easy. Indeed, we have encountered many challenges on the way; but through your determination, dedication and hard work, we have been able to live up to the expectations of the Kenyan people.”