After a long political instability that has happened in Kenya since August, in the push and pull between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, his long time rival, concerning the Presidential seat, Mr. Kenyatta finally proved the best man, and sworn in as the President elect.
Uhuru Kenyatta won in the repeat presidential polls that were held on 26 October, in Kenya, after the August polls were nullified by the Supreme Court when they sighted issues of irregularities and illegalities, in a petition that was filed by Raila Odinga, the NASA flag bearer.
‘I hereby call the elections and congratulate the victors; I hereby declare Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and William Samoei Ruto as President-elect and Deputy President-elect respectively,’ Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati said, when announcing the results then.
The inauguration ceremony was held at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, Kenya’s largest stadium.
In his inaugural speech, President Uhuru Kenyatta mentioned that he was standing in the grounds, swearing in as a president of Kenya for the last time, as he is now beginning his five years of his second and last term in power.
‘Once again as you all know, I have been here before. Hope this is for the last time, fellow Kenyans, let me say that today, I, as a Kenyan, celebrate our resilience as a nation and the resilience of our democracy and our people,’ said the President.
‘Any other country experiencing the turns and twists of our recent engagements would be in a tough place. I take this opportunity to thank God,’ he added.
Mr. Kenyatta was sworn in by the chief registrar of the Anne Amadi, and he is reported to have sworn in using a bible that was also used by his father, Jomo Kenyatta, at the independence in 1963.
‘I … do swear … that I will always, truly and diligently serve the people of the Republic of Kenya,’ Kenyatta swore, with his hand resting on a Bible – reports state.
A number of Heads of States including; Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, Edgar Lungu, the President of Zambia, the President of Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Djibouti, were all seen present at the stadium, honoring the ceremony.
Raila Odinga, the main opposition leader and Mr. Kenyatta’s long time rival, termed the inauguration as a coronation – sources show.
Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu
