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President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at about 11.45am just a few minutes after his deputy William Ruto/MIKE KARIUKI

Kenya

Uhuru’s momentous inauguration underway

President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at about 11.45am just a few minutes after his deputy William Ruto/MIKE KARIUKI

President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at about 11.45am just a few minutes after his deputy William Ruto/MIKE KARIUKI

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 9 – The inauguration ceremony of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth President is currently underway at the Moi Sports Complex, Kasarani.

All the invited guests and members of the public have taken their seats in the 60,000 capacity stadium which is filled to capacity.

President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at about 11.45am just a few minutes after his deputy William Ruto.

He was followed by outgoing President Mwai Kibaki who was then escorted to the ceremonial Land-Rover to enter the stadium and after the National Anthem; inspected the Guard of Honour.

Prior to their arrival, various heads of state made it to the stadium with their entourages to witness the historic event.

Kenyatta will take two oaths, one pledging allegiance to the Constitution and the second will be a solemn affirmation of due execution of office of president.

Kibaki will then hand over the Instruments of Power and Authority to Kenyatta, which will be followed by fanfare and the National Anthem during which Kibaki’s Presidential Standard will be lowered while Kenyatta’s will be hoisted simultaneously.

A 21-gun salute will follow, and Kibaki will be given his Standard by the Chief of Defence Forces.

Ruto will then take his two oaths, after which the Guard of Honour will march off the stadium to be followed by a session of entertainment.

Once the festivities are over, Kibaki will lead the way out and receive Kenyatta at State House where a lunch with invited Heads of State will take place.

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Long before dawn, buses arrived from across the country, packed with supporters from central Kenya and the Rift Valley, heartlands of Kenyatta’s supporters and of his soon to be Deputy-President William Ruto.

Security was heavy as Kenyatta loyalists, dressed in the red colours of the winning Jubilee Coalition party, waved as military bands played tunes to welcome the new leader and say farewell to outgoing President Mwai Kibaki, 81, retiring after more than a decade in power.

During his acceptance speech when he was announced the winner of the election, Kenyatta promised to work with the international community but said pointedly he would also expect they should respect Kenya’s sovereignty.

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