Grand reception as Uhuru arrives back from The International Criminal Court

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at JKIA from The Hague in the past. PHOTO | AGGREY MUTAMBO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He was received by a delegation led by Deputy President William Ruto.
  • The President arrived at 6.30am aboard a Kenya Airways plane.

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived back in the country Thursday morning to a grand reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

He was received by a delegation led by Deputy President William Ruto.

Mr Ruto had been the acting President while Mr Kenyatta was in The Hague attending a status conference hearing on his case at the International Criminal Court.

The President arrived at 6.30am aboard a Kenya Airways plane.

He later inspected a guard of honour before being entertained by various groups of traditional dancers.

From the airport the President’s entourage was later expected to head to his Harambee House office through Outer Ring Road, Jogoo Road, Landhies Road, Haile Sellasie Avenue and Harambee Avenue.

President Kenyatta shares a light moment with Deputy President William Ruto on arrival at JKIA from The Hague. PHOTO | AGGREY MUTAMBO

Earlier Wednesday, a communication from the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU) indicated that Mr Ruto’s authority as acting President had expired.

"The Instrument that conveyed Presidential Authority to the Deputy President has expired tonight (as of 6pm),” said the statement.

This meant that President Kenyatta immediately assumed his constitutional authority.

Upon President Kenyatta’s arrival at JKIA, the Deputy President was expected to receive him and hand him a brief that essentially contained returns for the period that he exercised presidential authority.

Thereafter, the President and the Deputy President would revert back to customary reception protocols.

President Kenyatta listens to a group of traditional dancers at JKIA. With him is First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. PHOTO | AGGREY MUTAMBO