Kenyans are questioning the power of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta after he made another appointment just days before leaving office.
This came after Uhuru appointed retired Vice Chief of Defence Forces Franklin Mghalu to the Kenya National Shipping Line Board as chairperson.
The outgoing head of state appointed Mghalu to the position for a three-year term while signing his name.
It is a decision that has raised many eyebrows among Kenyans, who have questioned the legality of his appointment. Many people wondered whether the head of state still has the authority to appoint or dismiss any state officer, given that the new president-elect, William Ruto, already has similar powers.
While some congratulated Uhuru on his appointment, others advised Mr Mghalu to decline the position because Uhuru currently lacks the power to appoint.
On August 9, Kenyans went to the polls to elect their next group of leaders, and President Uhuru Kenyatta lost several powers. Uhuru has entered the “temporary incumbency” phase, which means he is serving as a caretaker leader before handing over to William Ruto.
The outgoing President will not be able to nominate or appoint any public officer; nominate, appoint, or sack a Cabinet Secretary (CS), Principal Secretary (PS), Judicial officers, or other State officers, according to Chapter Nine (9), Part Two (2), Article 134 of the Constitution on Exercise of Presidential Powers During Temporary Incumbency.
