{"id":182617,"date":"2022-09-13T20:04:56","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T17:04:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wardoon.net\/en\/?p=182617"},"modified":"2022-09-13T20:04:56","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T17:04:56","slug":"william-ruto-sworn-in-as-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wardoon.net\/en\/william-ruto-sworn-in-as-president\/","title":{"rendered":"William Ruto sworn in as president"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

\"\"<\/b><\/p>\n

Tens of thousands of people cheered as William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya’s president at a ceremony in the capital Nairobi following his narrow election win last month.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Mr Ruto hailed it as “a moment like no other”, adding that a “village boy” had become president.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Defeated candidate Raila Odinga did not attend. He said he had “serious concerns” about his opponent’s victory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Mr Ruto won the election with 50.5% of the vote, to Mr Odinga’s 48.8%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Mr Odinga has alleged that the result was rigged, but the Supreme Court has ruled the election was free and fair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Mr Ruto – the former deputy president – was handed a copy of Kenya’s constitution and a sword to represent the transfer of power from President Uhuru Kenyatta.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

With his hand on a Bible, the 55-year-old swore to preserve and protect the constitution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

“Standing here today is testimony that there is God in heaven. I want to thank God because a village boy has become the president of Kenya,” Mr Ruto said, referring to the fact that he grew up in rural Kenya.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

He also had conciliatory words for Mr Odinga, and all his opponents.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

“Their supporters will be my constituents. I will work with all Kenyans irrespective of who they voted for,” Mr Ruto said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

There was also a handshake between the outgoing Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto, his former deputy with whom he fell out during their second term in office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

New Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the Ruto administration marked “freedom” for Kenya, and the days when people were targeted because of their association with him “are over”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Earlier, at least eight people were reported to have been injured in a crush as they jostled to enter the stadium to witness the ceremony.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

But inside the crowd was in high-sprits, with frequent cheering, waving of the Kenyan flag, and groups of people proudly wearing yellow – the colour synonymous with Mr Ruto’s campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

About 20 heads of state from across Africa attended the event.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Religion was a persistent theme throughout the swearing in ceremony, with leaders from the Christian and Islamic faiths offering prayers for the new president.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Bishop Mark Kariuki said God had showcased his might by elevating Mr Ruto, who was once a road-side chicken seller, to the presidency.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Mr Kenyatta has stepped down at the end of his two terms. He backed Mr Odinga in the election, saying Mr Ruto was unworthy to serve as president.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Mr Kenyatta congratulated Mr Ruto on his win only a day before his inauguration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Mr Kenyatta said he was committed to a peaceful transition and urged the new president to serve all Kenyans.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

In a statement, Mr Odinga said he had received a call from Mr Ruto inviting him to the inauguration, but that he would not attend as he was abroad and he did not believe the election was free and fair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

This is despite the fact that the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment, confirming Mr Ruto’s victory and dismissing Mr Odinga’s concerns that the election was marred by widespread irregularities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Mr Ruto won after portraying himself as a “hustler” who was challenging an attempt by two dynasties – the Odingas and Kenyattas – to hang on to power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

He promised a “bottoms-up” approach to the economy to tackle the high unemployment rate among young people, and to improve the lives of those.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n