KENYA USHERS IN NEW PRESIDENT UNDER THE NEW CONSTITUTION

By Kirong Shadrack

Kenya ushered in its fourth president yesterday under the new constitution. The landmark inauguration ceremony held at Kasarani Stadium was attended by various distinguished guests and dignitaries from across Africa and the globe. The instruments of power were officially handed over to the president elect, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, and his Deputy, William Ruto.

The rare occasion which was graced by over sixty thousand Kenyans who came to witness the historical event, marked the end of Kibaki’s ten year rule. Unlike the 2007 transition which was marred by controversies following the disputed election, which led to the birth of a coalition Government, yesterday’s transition was smooth, an observation that drew a lot of praises and congratulatory messages from leaders present.


The transition process reached its peak at noon when the former President, Mwai Kibaki, handed over the instruments of power; the sword and the constitution, which are also symbols of national unity to President Kenyatta. The handshake of power was followed by a twenty one gun salute.

In their acceptance speeches both President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy Vice President William Ruto pledged to implement the Jubilee manifesto they promised during their campaigns. Among the promises is the provision of free laptops to all pupils joining class one and free maternity services in the next hundred days.
The duo also called upon all Kenyans, especially their competitors who lost in the elections, to embrace unity for the betterment of the country. They emphasized that it was a wrong for them to engage in enemy-like sideshows after they were defeated.
On the impending ICC cases at The Hague where the two leaders are yet to be cleared over their alleged involvement in the aftermath of the post poll chaos in 2008, they maintained their stand to cooperate with the court.

However, Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, declared publicly that the ICC was a pro-West weapon used to impose leadership on Africans. He took issue with the ICC over the Kenyan case for what he termed as a misplaced and lost case, and thanked all Kenyans for voting against it.

His remarks claiming that the Pokot were stealing his cows sent the crowd into laughter. “And I’m asking His Excellency Uhuru to urge the Pokot to stop stealing my cows’’ added a joking a Museveni.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto will be serving their term of office for five years. Under the Kenyan Constitution any President is only legible for two terms in office which is equivalent to ten years.

A section of Moi University Main Campus students following the proceedings of the inauguration ceremony at the Students' Centre.