Moses Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Industry, has made the sensational claim that he is the “acting president.”
The CS stated on Friday that he is the country’s boss in the absence of President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
In jest, the CS told a gathering at the University of Eldoret that, in the absence of the trio, he was now in charge of the country’s affairs.
Ruto is in the United States on official business, Gachagua is in Colombia sourcing for coffee markets, and Mudavadi returned to the country on Thursday night from the United Kingdom.
“Do you want me to greet the president, his deputy, and Musalia Mudavadi? Sasa Rais ako Marekani, Riggy G ako Colombia, Musalia ako London, na mimi ndio nimekalia…asante,” Kuria said.
Despite Kuria’s assertions, the country’s constitutional and political orders do not place him among the top three.
The Constitution does not envisage a vacuum in the office of the president. In the president’s absence, his deputy takes over, while National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula assumes authority if both are absent at the same time.
Among Cabinet Secretaries, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki is ranked as the most senior, just below Mudavadi.
