List Of Orders, Promises By Ruto After Being Sworn-In

In his first speech since being sworn in as Kenya's fifth Head of State, President William Ruto has already named a plethora of orders and promises as he begins his five-year term.

From the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to the Inspector-General (IG) to the Port of Mombasa to the six judges to the Court of Appeal, Ruto already gave Kenyans a glimpse of what to expect in his administration.

Here are some of the orders and promises he made in his speech:

On the cost of fertiliser: "For the short rains, we have already made arrangements to make 1.4 million bags of fertilisers available at Ksh3,500 for a 50 kg bag - down from Ksh6,500." 

"This fertiliser will be available from next week. I appeal to county governments in East, Central and Western regions to work with us in making sure that this fertiliser is available so that we can begin the journey to increase our food production initiatives. 

On the port of Mombasa: This afternoon, I will be issuing instructions for clearing of goods and other attendant operational duties to the port of Mombasa as I made a commitment to Kenyans. This will restore thousands of jobs in the city of Mombasa.

On IEBC: Going forward we will support the IEBC in its institutional capacities so as to expand the deployment of technology to cover all elections from those of MCAs to those of the president. I also believe there is a tremendous opportunity to support electoral processes in our political parties as part of the broader democratic development.

To which Chebukati responded: On behalf of IEBC and myself, I wish to thank  President William Ruto for recognizing IEBC for having raised the bar of integrity and the standard of public service in Kenya. I feel proud to have made my contribution toward strengthening democracy in Kenya

On respecting the Judiciary: My administration will respect judicial decisions while we cement the place of Kenya as a country anchored on democracy and the rule of law.

On Inspector-General of Police (IG)'s powers: As I address you, I have instructed that instruments conferring financial autonomy to the National Police Service by transferring their budget from the Office of the President and designating the Inspector General as the accounting officer be placed on my desk by this afternoon.

On Uhuru's next move: I commit, on peace initiatives in our region, including both in Ethiopia and in the Great Lakes Region, I have asked my elder brother, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has done commendable engagements with those regions and he has graciously agreed to continue chairing those discussions on behalf of the people of Kenya

"I have committed that the Government of Kenya and myself, in particular, will support those initiatives that will be chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta," he said.

President William Ruto holding up the ceremonial sword at Kasarani Stadium on September 13, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO