Uhuru sworn in as Kenya's president
Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as Kenya's fourth
president on Tuesday to thunderous cheers from tens of thousands of
supporters, despite facing trial on charges of crimes against humanity.
"I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true
allegiance to the Republic of Kenya," said Kenyatta, the son of the
country's first president, clutching a bible as he took the oath of
office.
Wearing a dark suit and red tie, he also pledged
to "protect and uphold, the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the
people of Kenya".
Officials had to appeal for quiet as 60,000 people
packed into Kenya's national football stadium chanted Kenyatta's name
and roared in support as they danced.
William Ruto, who like Kenyatta faces trial at the
International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity related
to post-election violence five years ago, took the oath of office as
vice-president.
"I will always truly and diligently serve the
people and the Republic of Kenya in the office of the deputy president,"
Ruto said.
"I will do justice to all without fear, favour, affection and ill will," he added.
Kenyatta, one of Africa's richest men, won the
March 4 polls by more than 800,000 votes ahead of his nearest rival,
outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The 51-year-old is Kenya's youngest president.
Security was heavy as Kenyatta loyalists, dressed
in the red colours of the winning Jubilee Coalition party, waved and
military bands played tunes to welcome the new leader and bid farewell
to outgoing President Mwai Kibaki, 81, retiring after more than a decade
in power.
Kibaki handed over Kenya's symbols of power -- a
sword and the constitution -- to Kenyatta, with both smiling broadly and
shaking hands. The handover was followed by a booming 21-gun salute.
Regional leaders and foreign diplomats watched as
the full to capacity stadium danced and sang along to music and a
military parade.
Among the heads of state attending the ceremony
were Ethiopia's Hailemariam Desalegn, Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,
South Sudan's Salva Kiir, Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete and Uganda's Yoweri
Museveni.
Odinga, who failed in his court bid to overturn Kenyatta's victory, did not attend.
Western nations, many of which have a policy of only "essential contact" with ICC indictees, sent ambassadors to the ceremony.
Many supporters packed in buses arrived long
before dawn from central Kenya and the Rift Valley, strong support bases
of Kenyatta and Ruho.
"This is a great day," 23-year-old student Martin
Munyua told AFP. "People thought Uhuru could not be president but we
showed them that we believe in him. This is our day to celebrate."
"We have come to welcome our new sons to the State
House," said 35-year old high school teacher Jairus Koech, who
travelled all night from the Rift Valley town of Eldoret to attend the
celebrations.
No comments:
Post a Comment