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2017 KENYA ELECTIONS

Kinyua says inauguration to cost Sh300mn, asks NASA to shelve parallel rally

Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua who chairs the Assumption of Office of the President Committee overseeing the ceremony arrangement said the amount is modest and it was carefully arrived at to avoid any wastage of public resources during the ceremony set to be held at Kasarani Stadium, with more than 100,000 people expected to attend/DAVIS AYEGA

NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 24 – The government has revealed that slightly above Sh300 million will be spent during the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto next Tuesday.

On Friday, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua who chairs the Assumption of Office of the President Committee overseeing the ceremony arrangement said the amount is modest and it was carefully arrived at to avoid any wastage of public resources during the ceremony set to be held at Kasarani Stadium, with more than 100,000 people expected to attend.

“We are really not spending a lot of money, the money we have put together is adequate and we would not want to be seen wasting public resources,” he said while addressing journalists at Kasarani Stadium.

Kinyua also appealed to the Opposition coalition, National Super Alliance (NASA) to shelve their planned rally scheduled for next week Tuesday to coincide with the swearing-in ceremony.

Kinyua said NASA should join hands with the government and build bridges that will foster posterity especially after the prolonged electioneering period that was characterized by sharp divisions.

“We really plead with our friends in the Opposition that it is not necessary in that particular day to have a different function. Let us focus on this important historic day and we can have other events after the ceremony and perhaps discuss issues that need to be addressed. Opposition is still part of the government, it is provided under the Constitution and we should be seen working together,” he said.

Kinyua however, indicated that if the Opposition decide to go on with their planned rally it will not in any way overshadow the day’s big event and urged the leadership and supporters of the coalition to respect the Constitution.

“The President will be sworn-in and any other function that would be held during that day would be me like Kinyua taking tea somewhere and indeed as a Kenyan I am free to have my own function but that will not be historic,” said Kinyua.

The NASA leadership has remained insistent that Kenyatta’s presidency is illegitimate and vowed to organize a meeting at Uhuru Park next Tuesday where Odinga is expected to be endorsed as the People’s President.

Even so, the committee has also invited Odinga for the event and other presidential candidates who had run against Kenyatta in the August 8 and October 26 elections.

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On security preparedness, Kinyua said the government had put in place adequate security measures for the historic event that is to be attended by at least close to 100,000 visitors and hundreds of dignitaries.

“The government and this committee in particular, the people who are in charge of providing security to us they have done everything possible to ensure that there will be adequate security during the entire time even the day after the celebrations,” said Kinyua.

“We wish to assure the country that and all those who will be attending that there safety will be guaranteed,” said Kinyua.

Kinyua noted that elaborate traffic arrangements will be released on Saturday to enable the public plan since Tuesday has already been declared a holiday.

At least 20 Heads of State have already confirmed attendance, but Kinyua reiterated that the list was likely to increase based on invitations sent out so far.

“We expect a huge turnout and the number of Heads of State and dignitaries expected to attend the ceremony is likely to rise,” said Kinyua.

Tasked to provide the list of the high profile individuals who will be gracing the event, Kinyua remained tight-lipped citing security concerns.

“We are dealing with people whose security must be guaranteed and for that reasons it important to know that we believe this is a function that will attract many people across the globe.”

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