Republic of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace were given a huge ovation when they arrived in Nairobi for the inauguration of Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Wednesday, 10 April 2013 00:00
Takunda Maodza in NAIROBI, Kenya
Zimbabwe Herald
UHURU Kenyatta was yesterday sworn in as the fourth Kenyan President at a colourful occasion attended by several African Heads of State and Government including President Mugabe.
President Kenyatta, who also becomes the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenyan Defence Forces, called for peace and pledged to unite Kenyans.
His deputy, Mr William Samoei Ruto also took oath of office in front of over 60 000 Kenyans that thronged the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi to witness the historic event that brought Africans from all over the continent together.
Other African Heads of State and Government who attended the ceremony included South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan were also among the 25 African Heads of State who attended the ceremony.
Interestingly, former Prime Minister Mr Raila Odinga, who was defeated by President Kenyatta in the polls, snubbed the event with reports here saying he was in South Africa on holiday. Mr Odinga is a bitter man after he was heavily trounced by over 800 000 votes by the son of Kenya’s founding president Jomo Kenyatta and unsuccessfully tried to challenge the poll results in the Supreme Court.
His absence was despite an invitation extended to him by President Kenyatta who has pledged to work with all Kenyans regardless of race, tribe or political affiliation.
In his inaugural speech, President Kenyatta said his Government “shall reflect the true face of Kenyans” and underscored the need for unity while at the same time warning those bent on causing disturbances of the full wrath of law.
“Today I am humbled and honoured to accept the mantle of leadership. I will lead all Kenyans - those who voted for me and those who voted for our competitors . . . Achieving peace and strengthening unity will be the goal of my Government. We welcome all Kenyans to hold us to account,” he said to wild cheers from multitudes of his supporters.
President Kenyatta outlined programmes his Government would undertake in the first 100 days in office and these include the scrapping of maternity fees, access to free health services and school computerisation exercise, an ambitious programme under which all standard one pupils would be given computers (laptops).
“My Government will immediately begin the process of supporting devolution. Supporting devolution is not a choice. It is a constitutional duty. Our constitution does not suggest devolution, it demands it,” he said.
He also pledged to deal with unemployment by creating conditions favourable for investment.
Electricity generation, upgrading of the country’s road and rail infrastructure were among projects President Kenyatta promised to embark on.
President Kenyatta pledged to deal with the land question and to mechanise the agricultural sector to ensure maximum productivity.
He also indicated that the country’s natural resources would be exploited in a manner beneficial to Kenyans.
On national security he said: “We will not tolerate those who continue to be a threat to security and peace ...Agents of terror will be met with the full wrath of law and on this matter we are resolute.”
President Kenyatta further pledged Kenya’s commitment to fighting terrorism and piracy in Somalia.
He spoke about the pan African dream and Kenya’s desire to cultivate regional trade by removing all barriers to trade.
President Kenyatta castigated countries that wanted to exercise dominion over others saying global relations must be on the basis of equality.
Outgoing President Mwai Kibaki congratulated President Kenyatta and his Vice President Ruto on their new positions.
“As I exit the stage of leadership, I have no doubt in my mind that the country is in good hands in the able leadership of Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President Ruto. Give them the space and support to enable them to exercise their presidential mandate,” he said.
Vice President Ruto pledged to work towards a peaceful and prosperous Kenya saying the era of violent politics was gone.
“Never again will the people of this country shed political blood or destroy property on account of political competition. Political competition in our country shall henceforth be about ideas and manifestos,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Africa’s leaders, President Museveni thanked Mr Odinga and other candidates who lost for the manner they handled defeat.
“They took their grievances to court and accepted the verdict although it was not favourable to them,” he said.
President Museveni also congratulated President Kenyatta and Vice President Ruto’s Jubilee Coalition “for not being provocative” in their victory celebrations.
The Ugandan President also took the opportunity to slam the International Criminal Court accusing it of being a Western tool for imposing leaders in Africa.
“They are now using it to install leaders in Africa,” he said.
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