Uhuru sworn in as fourth Kenyan president

NAIROBI - Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn as Kenya's fourth president on Tuesday to cheers from tens of thousands of supporters, despite facing an international crimes against humanity trial.

"I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Kenya," Kenyatta said, clutching a bible as he took the oath of office.

Kenyatta, wearing a dark suit and red tie, also pledged to "protect and uphold, the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya".

Officials had to appeal for quiet as 60,000 people packed into Kenya's national football stadium chanted Kenyatta's name and roared in support as they danced.

William Ruto, who like Kenyatta faces trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in The Hague, took the oath of office as vice-president.

"I will always truly and diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in the office of the deputy president,"

"I will do justice to all without fear, favour, affection and ill will," he added.

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.

Before handing over power Kibaki circled the stadium waving to crowds from an open topped vehicle and accompanied by a guard of honour.

Heads of state of Kenya's neighbours watching the ceremony included Ethiopia's Hailemariam Desalegn, Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, South Sudan's Salva Kiir, Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni.

Western nations, many of whom have a policy of only "essential contact" with ICC indictees, said they sent special envoys to the ceremony.

Uhuru Kenyatta profile

President Uhuru Kenyatta  -  Fourth President of Kenya

October 26, 1961: Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is born. He is named Uhuru, in anticipation for Kenya’s upcoming independence

Uhuru Kenyatta attended St Mary’s School in Nairobi. He played as a Winger for St. Mary’s Nairobi Rugby Team

1978: Uhuru loses his father, and Kenya’s firrst president ; Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who died aged 89.

1979 – 1980 Uhuru Kenyatta worked as a teller at the Kenya Commercial Bank, Kipande House Branch.

Uhuru Kenyatta joined Amherst College USA. to study Political Science and Economics.

1989: Uhuru Kenyatta starts his first company, Wiham Kenya Limited, where he used to personally pick up and transport horticulture for export on his pick up truck.

1991:  Uhuru Kenyatta marries his sweetheart and best friend Margaret.

1992: Uhuru Kenyatta campaigns for Kenneth Matiba

1994:  Uhuru Kenyatta sold Wiham Kenya Limited.

1997: Uhuru Kenyatta runs for the Parliamentary seat for Gatundu South, But  looses to Moses Muhia.

1999: Uhuru Kenyatta was appointed the new chairman of the Kenya Tourism Board by President Moi

2001: Uhuru Kenyatta is Nominated to Parliament by President Moi

2001 Uhuru Kenyatta is appointed minister for Local Government under President Daniel arap Moi

2002: Uhuru Kenyatta contested for the presidency on a KANU ticket, but lost to NARC’s Mwai Kibaki and opted to take his seat as official Opposition Leader.

January 2005: Uhuru Kenyatta defeated Nicholas Biwott for chairmanship of KANU, taking 2,980 votes among party delegates against Biwott’s 622.

2005: Uhuru Kenyatta led his party KANU in campaigns against the draft constitution in the 2005 constitutional referendum.

September 13, 2007: Uhuru Kenyatta withdrew from the December 2007 presidential election and said that he would back Kibaki for re-election. He said that he did not want to run unless he could be sure of winning.

December 2007: Uhuru Kenyatta backed Kibaki for re-election in the  presidential election.

January 2008: Uhuru Kenyatta was named Minister of Local Government by president Mwai Kibaki.

13 April 2008: Uhuru Kenyatta was named Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade as part of the Grand Coalition Cabinet.

December 15, 2010:  Uhuru Kenyatta was named as a suspect of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal

Court prosecutor Moreno Ocampo, for planning and funding violence in Naivasha and Nakuru

9 March 2013: Uhuru Kenyatta wins the presidential election and becomes the forth president of Kenya

AFP

FULL SPEECH BY NEW KENYAN PRESIDENT

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta Inaugural Address by Uhuru Kenyatta