President Uhuru Kenyatta entered the lame-duck period following the August 9 general elections, during which he is unable to hire or fire any State or public official, nor confer any national honors.
On the night of August 8th, President Kenyatta was reduced to overseeing government operations as a caretaker president until the day he hands over power, which could take until late November if the presidential election is successfully challenged in the Supreme Court.
Early last month, the President was on a farewell tour, attending events in his honor or thanking congregations for their support during his ten-year tenure.
During his tenure, he has also been on a path to launch or commission projects.
While he will remain president until the next Head of State takes over, his power has been greatly reduced after the night of August 8th.
He can no longer nominate or appoint judges of the superior courts, as well as any other public officer.
Despite the fact that he can still call Cabinet meetings, the President no longer has the authority to nominate, appoint, or even dismiss members of his Cabinet, Principal Secretaries, or other State or public officers in government or public institutions.
He can no longer use his mercy power to pardon convicted criminals or bestow national honors on anyone.
The President has been executing some of these powers in recent months and weeks.
On July 20, President Kenyatta appointed and swore in seven Court of Appeal judges. Three months earlier, he had appointed 24 Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and heads of foreign missions.
Kenyatta pardoned over 3,900 convicts on June 1 during Madaraka Day celebrations, a function he can no longer perform.
On July 8, the Commander-in-Chief bestowed his last honors on 508 Kenyans.
Even if some of his powers were reduced on election day, he may be able to stay in office for a longer period of time.
This is after Azimio la Umoja led by Raila Odinga promised to file a petition against the election results in the Supreme Court after IEBC declared William Ruto as the president-elect.
If Azimio files the petition as expected, the Supreme Court will have 14 days to consider and rule on the petition before September 5.
If the presidential election is declared invalid by the Supreme Court, a new election must be held by November 4, the last day of a 60-day period.
However, if the election is upheld by the Supreme court, the president-elect, Dr. Ruto, will be sworn in on September 13 allowing President Kenyatta to retire.
