Presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta

Uhuru Kenyatta
4th President of Kenya
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 April 2013
Preceded by	Mwai Kibaki
Deputy Prime Minister of Kenya
In office 17 April 2008 – 9 April 2013 Serving with Musalia Mudavadi
President	Mwai Kibaki
Prime Minister	Raila Odinga
Minister of Finance
In office 2009 – 26 January 2012
President	Mwai Kibaki
Preceded by	Amos Kimunya
Succeeded by	Robinson Njeru Githae
Minister of Trade
In office April 2008 – 2009
President	Mwai Kibaki
Preceded by	Mukhisa Kituyi
Succeeded by	Chirau Ali Mwakwere
Minister of Local Government
In office January 2008 – April 2008
President	Mwai Kibaki
Preceded by	Musikari Kombo
Leader of Official Opposition
In office January 2003 – December 2007
President	Mwai Kibaki
Preceded by	Mwai Kibaki
Succeeded by	Vacant
Minister of Local Government
In office 2001 – December 2002
President	Daniel arap Moi
Succeeded by	Emmanuel Karisa Maitha
Personal details
Born	Nairobi, Kenya (1961-10-26) 26 October 1961
Nationality	Kenyan
Political party	TNA
Other political affiliations	KANU PNU (2007–2012) Jubilee Alliance (2012–present)
Spouse(s)	Margaret Kenyatta (m. 1991)
Relations	Jomo Kenyatta (father) Ngina Kenyatta (mother)
Children	3 Jomo Ngina Jaba
Alma mater	Amherst College
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Website	www.uhuru.co.ke

The Presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta began on 9 April 2013 after being sworn in as 4th president of Kenya. He succeeded Mwai Kibaki. During his inaugural speech Uhuru promised economic transformation through vision 2030 , unity among all Kenyans, free maternal care and that he would serve all Kenyans.^[1][2][3]

Transition period

When the first round of the presidential election took place on 4 March 2013, Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the president-elect of Kenya by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Raila Odinga challenged this in the Supreme Court of Kenya. However, his petition was dismissed on March 30, 2013.

Inauguration

After the supreme court dismissed Raila petition, the swearing in ceremony was held on 9 April 2013 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi. According to Article 141 (2) (b) of the constitution says that in case the Supreme Court upholds the victory of the president-elect, the swearing in will take place on "the first Tuesday following the seventh day following the date on which the court renders a decision declaring the election to be valid."^[4]

During his inaugural address he promised the following:^[5][6]

• Achieving peace and strengthening unity will be the major goal of his Government.
• He would ensure that maternity fees are abolished and that all citizens of Kenya are able to access government dispensaries and health centers free of charge.
• He will develop a framework to direct the 6 billion Kenya Shillings previously allocated for the election run-off towards establishing a new Youth and Women Fund that will be open to the youth and women from every part of this country.
• He will put measures in place to ensure that all students, joining class one next year, within the public school system receive a laptop

Policy

He promised that he will boost the country’s key agricultural and manufacturing sectors and reduce high unemployment rates. Buying encouraging Kenyan to buy local products. he further outlined 9 pillar that his government will be based on;,^[7][8]

• Honest and transparent government, with public services that are open and accountable to the people.
• Swiftly end corruption
• Devolution in full
• Protect rights and freedoms
• Ensure peace for citizens
• Job creation
• Streamline government
• Extend basic services (Water and electricity) to every Kenyan.
• Implement the new Constitution

Economy

Deputy president promised the economic transformation especially in areas of Agriculture and tourism in his inaugural speech^[9]

Foreign Policy

The government ordered all its 52 ambassador and high commissioner back in to the country for briefing and consultations with the new administration. They were given 7 days.^[10][11]

Foreign Trips

He made his first trip out of the country on 27 April 2013 to Arusha. He attended the 11th Extra-Ordinary Summit of East African Community Heads of State.^[12][13]

On 3 May, Uhuru made a trip to Ethiopia to attend the 21st Extraordinary IGAD Summit. He later had talks with his host, Hailemariam Desalegn.^[14][15]

Uhuru visited the UK under invitation of PM David Cameron on 5 May 2013. He addressed a conference in London on Somalia. He later had a bilateral talk with Mr Cameron.^[16]

Uhuru visited South Africa on 9 May 2013 to attend the world economic forum. He held bilateral talks with Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa.^[17]

On 24 May 2013, he visited South Sudan on his way to Ethiopia for the African Union's 50th anniversary celebration.^[18]

Uhuru visited Uganda on 24 June 2013 and the next week- on 1 July 2013 he visited Burundi.^[19]

On 14 July 2013, he attended AU conference in Abuja, Nigeria,^[20] and later passed through Kinshasa on his way back.^[21]

On 3 August 2013, Mr Kenyatta visited Uganda where he was attending a Heads of State meeting for countries contributing troops to the African peace-keeping mission in Somalia. He also met Raila Odinga during the visit.^[22]

Kenyatta visited Russia on 16 August 2013 in an effort to grow new markets for Kenyan produce in Europe. After Russia, he visited China after invitation of H. E. Xi Jinping, with a delegate of 60 businessmen and 5 Governors. On his way back he briefly stopped over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where the President further discussed on promoting Kenya’s trade agenda.^[23][24]

Personnel

Cabinet secretaries

Cabinet of Kenya^[25]

Portrait	Portfolio	Incumbent
	President Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces		Uhuru Kenyatta
	Deputy President		William Ruto
	Mining		Dan Kazungu
	Environment and Natural Resource		Judy Wakhungu
	Devolution and Planning		Mwangi Kiunjuri
	Water and Irrigation		Eugene Wamalwa
	Finance / National Treasury		Henry Rotich
	Sports, Culture and the Arts		Hassan Arero
	Education		Fred Matiangi
	Transport and Infrastructure		James Macharia
	Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries		Willy Bett
	Interior and Coordination of National Government		Joseph Nkaissery
	Foreign Affairs & International Trade		Amina Mohamed
	Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs		Sicily Kariuki
	Tourism		Najib Balala
	Energy and Petroleum		Charles Keter
	Health		Cleopa Mailu
	Labour & East Africa Affairs		Phyllis Kandie
	Defence		Raychelle Omamo
	Land, Housing and Urban Development		Jacob Kaimenyi
	Industrialization and Enterprise Development		Adan Mohammed
	Information, Communication and Technology		Joe Mucheru
Also attends Cabinet
	Attorney General		Githu Muigai

Other Major Appointees

Francis Kimemia as Secretary to the cabinet

Lawrence Lenayapa as Statehouse Comptroller

Kaplana Rawal as Deputity Chief Justice of Kenya^[26]

Manoah Esipisu as secretary of communication and head Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU). He will be assisted by Eric N'Geno, Edward Irungu, Munyoku Boru, James Kinyua, Dennis Itumbi^[27]

See also

William Ruto

References