The United States (US) has announced a delegation of five who will attend the inauguration of president-elect William Ruto on Tuesday.
Through a statement from the White House, President Joe Biden confirmed that five members of the presidential delegation shall attend the inauguration led by United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
“Meg Whitman, US Ambassador to Kenya, Colin Allred, United States Representative (D), Texas, Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State,” read part of the statement.
Other members are Dr. Monde Muyangwa, the Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development will also join the Presidential Delegation set to attend Ruto’s inauguration.
At least twenty Heads of State and Government are expected to attended the swearing in of Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua next week.
Although Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibichio said Kenyans just walk in to Kasarani Stadium and will not require any invitation.
However, for the VIP, the invitations will be capped at 2,500 due to limitations of the number of people and capacity the dais can accommodate.
“We will have all the protocols associated with visiting Heads of States ready by Foreign Affairs and KDF and all people concerned with the arrival of dignitaries,” Kibicho said.
Kibicho affirmed that the venue will be ready by tomorrow evening.
The program is scheduled to start at 7 am.
However, the gates will be open to members of the public Kenyans at dawn and are expected to be seated by 10.00 am.
The ceremony will then begin at 10:30 am and the President-elect sworn into office between 10 am and 2 pm.
Already, the National Police Service (NPS) headed by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutymbai has already prepared the day’s operational order and adequately briefed senior commanders on security arrangement including traffic flow and security checks at the venue.
At least 10,000 police officers have been deployed to secure the event.