Nyanza County Removes Ruto’s Picture From Assembly Chambers

Portrait of President William Ruto has been removed from Nyanza County assembly chambers. The Siaya County Assembly chambers recently witnessed the removal of President William Ruto’s portrait, leaving only two portraits adorning its walls: those of Governor James Orengo and County Assembly Speaker George Okode.

Originally, President Ruto’s portrait had been hung alongside those of Okode and Orengo immediately following their swearing-in ceremonies.

The presence of President Ruto’s portrait was first noticed on October 11, 2022, during the official opening of the third county assembly of Siaya by Governor Orengo. However, the exact date of its removal remains shrouded in uncertainty.

According to the Constitution of Kenya, there is no legal requirement mandating the display of the President’s portrait in offices or business premises.

Nevertheless, it is a tradition widely observed in numerous countries, including Kenya, where the head of state’s portrait typically graces such spaces.

This custom has been upheld since the time of founding President Jomo Kenyatta’s administration.

Eric Ogenga, the acting Siaya County Assembly clerk, offered an explanation for the portrait’s removal, citing its aging condition.

Ogenga stated that new and improved portraits had been procured and were currently in storage, awaiting placement within the chambers.

t should be noted that the portrait in question featured a Kenyan flag in the background, akin to the new generation portraits adopted by President Ruto upon taking office the previous year.

Ogenga clarified that only the President’s portrait was considered old, necessitating its removal as part of the procurement process for updated versions. It’s worth noting that Siaya is predominantly an opposition stronghold, led by ODM leader Raila Odinga.l

Of the 30 wards in Siaya, 28 are being led by ODM MCAs. Even with the ongoing bipartisan talks in Nairobi, Raila has maintained that the current presidency is illegitimate.

Not so long ago in 2016, the first governor of Siaya, Cornel Rasanga, removed the portrait of then President Uhuru Kenyatta from his office.

Rasanga went ahead to urge other governor’s in counties then headed by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to follow suit.

Rasanga had argued that he did not recognise the presidency of Uhuru.

He wanted the portrait replaced with that of Raila who was the leader of CORD.

Then State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu argued that there is no legal action that can be taken against people who pull down portraits.

Article 9 of the Kenyan Constitution lists national symbols as the Public Seal, the National Flag, the National Anthem, and the Coat of Arms.

Soon after assuming office in September last year, President Ruto unveiled a newlook portrait with the Kenyan flag in the background.

Former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta had portraits with clear backgrounds.

Meanwhile, a nominee for the youth, gender and social services chief officer docket Dr Nicholas Kut was on Monday approved by the Siaya county assembly.

Commenting in support of the adoption of the subcommittee report that sought to have Dr Kut approved, East Gem MCA Seth Baraka said that he was fit for the position.