Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Deputy President William Ruto as acting President ahead of his appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague on 8 October.
The Kenyan President addressed an emergency session of Parliament Monday before walking to his office across the street, where he officially handed over power to Ruto. He left the office in a private vehicle, the Daily Nation reported.
Kenya’s constitution of 2010 requires the Deputy President to assume power in the absence of the President, but this is the first time the President has formally handed over power to the Deputy President in his absence.
Both Kenyatta and Ruto are accused of crimes against humanity at the ICC. It is the first time Kenyatta is attending his court hearing as President.
Analysts said the decision to hand over power to the deputy was in keeping with the President’s promise to treat the ICC charges facing him as a personal matter.
The Kenyan President said his conscience was clear as he prepared to face the charges against him.
“My conscience is clear, has been clear and will forever remain clear, and I am innocent of the accusations leveled against me,” he said.
He said his decision to attend the status conference was also a demonstration of the level of democratic development in Kenya.
But the Kenyan leader also warned that his decision to hand over power was in keeping with the sovereignty of Kenya and his determination not to subject Kenya’s own sovereignty to another authority.
“I will not subject the sovereignty of Kenya to any other jurisdiction on account of my attendance of the Status Conference,” Kenyatta added.
