Senators take oath of office

The swearing-in of Senators is underway at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi.

The Clerk of the Senate, Jeremiah Nyegenye, is presiding the historic ceremony for Kenya’s first Senate under the country’s 30-month-old Constitution.

Kariuki Godfrey Gitahi, also known as GG Kariuki, who is the senior-most senator in the House by virtue of the years served in the public service was the first to take the oath. Mr Kariuki is the senator for Laikipia County.

Mr Kariuki has served in the three previous governments, in the Kenyatta administration and the Moi administration as a Cabinet minister, and in the first Kibaki administration as an MP. He is 74 years old.

He was followed by Chris Obure, who served in the coalition government as a Cabinet minister and also a long-serving MP and veteran politician.

Former Attorney General Amos Wako was the third to be sworn in. Each of the MPs

Others who have taken the oath of office include James Orengo (Siaya), Abu Chaiba (Lamu), Juma Boy Juma (Kwale) and Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu).

Ironically, Prof Nyong'o was sworn in despite filing a petition in court to block the resignation of ministers as directed by President Kibaki.

A total of 67 Senators will be sworn in.

There are 47 elected Senators and 20 nominated by political parties.

Nine members of Kenya's independence Senate are witnessing the ceremony.

The ceremony continues.