NAIROBI, Sept 13 (NNN-KBC) — President-Elect Dr William Ruto was Tuesday inaugurated as the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya.
Dr. Ruto won the election held on Aug 9 and becomes the 5th President after Mzee Jomo Kenyatta who ruled between 1963 and 1978, President Daniel Arap Moi from 1978 to 2002, President Mwai Kibaki from 2002 to 2013 and the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta who ruled from 2013 to 2022.
The inauguration ceremony was conducted at the Moi International Sports Center – Kasarani between 10 am and 2pm.
This will be the 3rd democratic transfer of power event in the country since independence, the first one was in 2002 when the second president Daniel Arap Moi handed over power to Mwai Kibaki and the second one in 2013 when Kibaki handed over the instruments of power to Uhuru Kenyatta.
From as early as 4am the gates to Moi international sports center Kasarani the venue of the inauguration have been open to the public.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Monday evening bade farewell to State House Kenya leadership team led by Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua.
At a meeting, also attended by Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua, the outgoing Head of State thanked the officers for distinguished service during his tenure and advised them to serve the new administration with the same enthusiasm
“As you are aware, the transition process commenced on the 12th of August, 2022, and over the last week, the doors of State House and the Office of the President have been open to the technical teams from the office of the President-Elect so as to facilitate a smooth transition and hand-over. This afternoon’s meeting between the President-Elect and myself is the final step in that process,” He said.
The meeting coming after President Uhuru had met President elect Dr William Ruto at State House ahead of the swearing in on Tuesday.
“I will tomorrow (Tuesday), before God and my fellow countrymen, hand-over the instruments of power to our new President at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. With that the Fourth Administration will come to an end and the tenure of the Fifth Administration will begin,” he said.
He said he hands over leadership of a nation that has undergone consequential transformation over the last decade in every aspect of our national life.
“Mr. President-elect, as you walk the path to your inauguration and beyond, you will be President not just for those who voted for you but for all Kenyans. In the prophetic words of our national anthem – we are all summoned to purposefully dwell in unity, peace and liberty; working hard and together, so that plenty will be found in our borders,’ he said. — NNN-KBC
