Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the inauguration of Dr. William Ruto as Kenya’s fifth President, as a celebration of democracy and democratic institutions in Africa.
According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, Osinbajo made the description while speaking to journalists after the swearing-in ceremony held at the Moi International Sports Stadium in Nairobi.
The ceremony was attended by 20 African Heads of State and Government and their representatives, including the Presidents of South Africa – Cyril Ramaphosa, Chad – Mahamat Idriss Déby, Tanzania – Samia Suluhu, Seychelles – Wavel Ramkalawan, Uganda – Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda – Paul Kagame, South Sudan – Salva Kiir, Burundi – Évariste Ndayishimiye, Zimbabwe – Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.
Earlier on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Prof. Osinbajo was received by the former Governor of Kwale County, Salim Mvurya, and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Amb. Yusuf Yunusa, among other officials of the high commission.
On the significance of President Ruto’s inauguration, the Vice President said: “It is a celebration of democracy and the reasons are obvious, the institutions held up – the IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission), the equivalent of our own INEC, and the Judiciary; they held up and ensured that not only were processes properly followed, but also that justice was done.”
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The VP said: “Whenever we talk about the celebration of democracy, we are really talking about the celebration of our institutions; the institutions that undergird democracy and the rule of law.”
“I think that what we have seen here in Kenya and the swearing-in of Dr. William Ruto is really evidence of robust institutions doing what they ought to do.
“It is a great example and we are all extremely pleased. And I’m sure you have seen, from all of the African Heads of State and Governments and their representatives, who are present here today, that there is an atmosphere of elation and joy because this worked,” Prof. Osinbajo added.
The high-point of the occasion was the oath-taking ceremonies by the newly elected President and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, as well as the handover of instruments of power and a copy of Kenya’s Constitution from former President Uhuru Kenyatta to Dr. Ruto.
Chairperson of AU, representatives of the Commonwealth, other regional and international bodies were also at the event.
In his speech, Ruto applauded the Kenya Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for creditably acquitting itself under “exceptionally challenging circumstances.”
Ruto was declared winner of the Aug. 9 presidential election after defeating rival, Raila Odinga.
Ruto, 55, served as Kenya’s deputy president since 2013 when he was elected as outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s running mate.
In Oct. 2014, he served as acting President when Kenyatta honoured invitation to answer to his criminal case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Kenyatta’s charges were later dropped.
The event featured inspection of guards, swearing-in, military parades, transfer of sword, seal, Kenyan Constitution to the new president, musical renditions, cultural display, among others.
Other countries represented in official capacity include Iran, France, Japan, Palestine, Egypt, China, UK, India, Qatar, Botswana, Morocco, Germany, Australia, Togo, Netherlands, The Gambia, UAE among others.