Little-Known Story Of The President's Sword

One of the key instruments of power Uhuru Kenyatta will hand over to William Ruto after being Kenya’s fourth president and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces for 10 years is a symbolic sword held by every sitting president.

From the naked eye, it looks like a Japanese sword, known as the katana. This is characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and a long grip to accommodate two hands.

Developed later than the tachi, it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward. 

The sword is made of stainless steel with a golden coating and the ceremonial handing over of the sword to every new president began when founding president Jomo Kenyatta became the first recipient of the sword over 50 years ago.

President Uhuru Kenyatta after taking over from the late former President Mwai Kibaki in 2013. /VOA NEWS

Interestingly, the idea is borrowed from the Japanese Dynasty way back in 300 AD. The ceremonial sword originated from the Japanese period when monarchs were always armed with distinctive swords.

It served as a representation of authority and power of the beholder of the position of power. The custom has survived into modern times and is still followed by many countries across the world.

After subscribing to the oath of Office, the outgoing president hands the sword over to the incoming president to symbolize a shift in power and authority. In Kenya's case, the new president will be the custodian of the sword and it is usually kept at the president’s office at Harambee House.

Other Instruments Of Power

Besides the ceremonial sword, the incoming president will also receive a copy of the Constitution of Kenya. This is a symbol that the country is governed by the rule of law, which is supposed to be the guide in the choices the President makes.

Every Head of State bears a presidential standard that is associated with his reign. The presidential standard or presidential flag is the unique flag that is used as a symbol of the current head of state or president and is only used or raised when the president is present and is a symbol of his authority.

The standard cum flag is hoisted on his official vehicle as well as functions attended by the president. The swearing-in ceremony will see the outgoing president’s standard lowered and subsequently, the incoming president’s standard will be hoisted which is yet another symbol of the shift of power.

One of the formats borrowed from British customs by way of Kenya being a Commonwealth country includes a 21-gun salute carried out during the ceremony. It is conducted by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), to welcome the new Commander-in-chief and is conducted by firing cannons and artillery shortly after the handing over of the instruments of power. 

The first order as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Defence Forces will be to command a break on the Guard of Honour that had been inspected by the outgoing president before he handed over power. The president-elect will then take the oath or affirmation, which the Chief Registrar will administer before the Chief Justice no earlier than 10 am and not later than 2 pm.

“Upon taking or subscribing to the oath or affirmation under subsection (1), the President shall sign a certificate of inauguration in the presence of the Chief Justice or in the absence of the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice.”

After signing the certificate of the inauguration, President Uhuru Kenyatta will hand over to his successor instruments of power and authority.

As soon as the president-elect takes his oath of office, the aide-de-camp (ADC) moves from the outgoing president to the new president.  The aide de camp, usually a member of the military, is the personal assistant of the president who brings honour and dignity to the president.

In this case, the ADC will accompany Ruto to all functions and all official duties.

“The deputy president-elect shall take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation of allegiance and oath or affirmation for the execution of the functions of the office in accordance with Article 148 of the Constitution,” the law states.

The new president will then give an inauguration speech to Kenyans.