Digitized African Kenyan President …….

MP William Ruto

ELDORET North MP William Ruto has told journalists that he can run the country from the Hague if he is elected president. He said modern ICT systems would allow him to perform his presidential functions even if he is not in Kenya.

Ruto is under-estimating the demands that are made of presidents. Firstly, his trial, which starts on April 11, will last for five or six hours each day. He will also need to have daily meetings with his lawyers to review the proceedings.

The trial could last two years. It will be almost a full-time job in its own right. Ruto would not have enough time in the day to be president while simultaneously being on trial.
Secondly, parts of the job demand that the president is physically in Kenya. For instance, Parliament has to be sworn in and opened by the president in person. Ambassadors have to be accredited by the president in person. Legislation has to be signed by the president in person.

In practice, it would be impossible for Ruto to be on trial in the Hague and discharge the duties of the president. He would have to let the vice-president take over.

The Star