President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday addressed the first sitting of the 12th Parliament.
In the joint sitting boycotted by opposition legislators, President Kenyatta moved to assure Kenyans and the international community that there is no void in the top leadership.
He said the Constitution is clear that the term of a president ends when another is sworn in.
“The set term of a president is embedded until a new one is sworn in as per the Constitution. I want to assure every Kenyan and the world that every arm of government is in place and operational. There is no lacuna,” he said.
DEMOCRACY
He said the legislators were sworn in at a time that requires them to uphold democracy.
The President said he strongly disagreed with the Supreme Court decision that nullified his election but accepted it because of respect of the Constitution and its institution.
“I have previously demonstrated this before, when I conceded defeat in 2002 and heeded summons from an international court when I knew I was facing trumped up charges,” he said.
He asked lawmakers to ensure sustained democracy by maintaining peace.
He warned that no one will be allowed to disrupt peace and asked political leaders to avoid making inflammatory remarks.
OPPOSITION
In his address, President Kenyatta congratulated MPs and senators who won in the August 8 elections, which he said were conducted peacefully.
He said Kenyans voted for three women governors, senators and youthful lawmakers.
The President arrived in Parliament a few minutes to 3pm and inspected a guard of honour.
Majority of MPs and senators in the House are from Jubilee Party as opposition legislators has said they will boycott the ceremony, arguing that the President has no powers to convene the new Parliament.
Notably absent from the ceremony were Supreme Court judges.
HOUSE BUSINESS
On Monday, President Kenyatta dared National Super Alliance MPs and senators to make good their threat to skip the first sitting.
He said Jubilee has enough numbers to conduct House business without the opposition lawmakers.
The opening of the 12th Parliament will pave the way for the bicameral House to officially start its work.
The President traditionally uses the inauguration of the House to set the government legislative agenda for the new term of office.
However, this might not be the case as President Kenyatta is facing a fresh presidential election
