Here Is The List Of Five People Who Are Supposed To Act As President In Kenya

Recently, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko shocked many Kenyans when he declared himself as the acting Kenyan President. As a result, this matter has left many Kenyans ensnared in heated debates over the country’s top most position.

In the recent past, a lot of discussions have been going on concerning the recent remarks by the Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko. Different legal experts have has varied opinions concerning the issue and also the likely punishment associated with such utterances.

According to the Kenyan Constitution, the Deputy President takes over leadership in case the Head of State is not available to execute his duties. In the case of an eventuality that could render the Deputy President unable to carry out his mandate, the Constitution states the Presidency should shift to the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Though chances of having all the two unavailable to take the mantle of leading the country are less, the law further provides a list of others who can act as the President in terms of the laid down power hierarchy. A legal expert divulged that in absentia of the three, the office of the President can also be occupied by Speaker of the Senate.

Further to that, the Presidency can also be held by the Chief Justice in case all those previously mentioned are unavailable. According to the law, situations which could lead to a vacancy in the highest office in the land include; if the President dies, resigns in writing, is declared incapable of ruling or is impeached by Parliament. If the stated officers hold the office in such eventualities, a Presidential election should be held within 60 days.

Find Out Why President Uhuru Kenyatta Was Annoyed With SA President Jacob Zuma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to nominate Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed for the position of African Union (AU) Chairperson was warmly received with a majority of Kenyans expressing hope that the Foreign Affairs CS would clinch the seat. 
 As President Kenyatta received his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma, foreign affairs experts were optimistic that Ms Mohamed’s bid would receive the backing of Zuma’s country. However, the support was not to be as South Africa declined to support Ms Mohamed’s candidature in the elections slated for January 2017. The crucial support was lost on account of a decision made by the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) where South Africa is a member country. In June this year, SADC resolved to support Botswana’s Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson Moitoi, as their choice for chair of AU Commission chairperson. South Africa indicated that it would abide by SADC’s decision. During the joint press conference on Tuesday afternoon, both Kenyatta and Zuma declined to comment on the issue. Despite the loss of Zuma’s support, Kenya's candidate still stands a strong chance, especially in West and Central Africa. Kenyatta will be heading to Togo later this week where he is expected to personally lobby for Mohamed’s candidature. Mohamed will be vying against Specioza Wandira Kazibwe from Uganda, Pelonomi Venson Moitoi from Botswana, and Agapito Mba Mokuy from Equatorial Guinea.

credit:kenyans.co.ke