Family affair as Cabinet Secretaries take oath in historic ceremony.
After being sworn-in, the new Cabinet Secretaries shared niceties with their loved ones, who also got an opportunity to mingle with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Cabinet Secretaries took the oath of office on Wednesday, marking the first time in independent Kenya a Cabinet — without MPs.
President Uhuru presided over the colourful ceremony that lasted for about one and half hours. The President arrived at the State House gardens at 11am then took his seat beside Majority Leaders Aden Duale (National Assembly) and Kithure Kindiki (Senate).
The nominees, who sat opposite the presidential dais, were called one by one. They rose, stepped forward and bowed before the Head of State, before proceeding to take the oath of office and oath of affirmation.
After taking the oath each signed on the dotted line before State House Comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa handed the same to Uhuru to sign. After that, each Cabinet Secretary received a congratulatory handshake from the President before assuming his/her seat.
They were sworn-in in the following order; Dr Fred Matiang’i (ICT), Henry Rotich (Treasury), Raychelle Omamo (Defense), Jacob Kaimenyi (Education), Davis Chirchir (Energy and Petroleum), Anne Waiguru (Devolution and Planning), Adan Mohamed (Industrialisation), Felix Kosgey (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries), Judy Wakhungu (Environment, Water and Natural Resources) and Phyllis Kandie (East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism). Others were James Wainaina (Health), Michael Kamau (Transport and Infrastructure), Najib Balala (Mining) and Charity Ngilu (Land, Housing and Urban Development).
Ms Omamo caused laughter with her accent. Current Permanent Secretaries present also applauded when their former colleague Eng Kamau took oath.
After the oath, Secretary to Cabinet Francis Kimemia invited President Uhuru, the new Cabinet Secretaries and their families to a cup of tea. Afterwards, they proceeded to the doorsteps of State House for a group photo.
During the tea session, Uhuru mingled freely with the families of his new Cabinet. Kamau’s mother, an octogenarian, could not hide her joy. She flashed a broad smiled from her a wheelchair, happy to be part of the historic event. President Uhuru chatted with her as photographers jostled to capture the moment.
After the function at about 12.30pm, the Cabinet Secretaries were driven from the house on the hill, to start their new calling. Yesterday’s event heralded a new chapter in Kenya’s history as the new Cabinet members will no longer be the politicians who have occupied ministerial offices in Kenya’s 50 years of independence.
Source:http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000083710&story_title=family-affair-as-cabinet-secretaries-take-oath-in-historic-ceremony
