Kenya: William Ruto takes oath and announces his first presidential measures
Kenya's new president William Ruto during his swearing-in ceremony.
On September 13, 2022 in Nairobi.
REUTERS - BAZ RATNER
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
William Ruto was sworn in on Tuesday, September 13, becoming Kenya's fifth president after several weeks of controversy, with an appeal to the Supreme Court following a close election.
Tuesday's ceremony puts an end to ten years of mandate of Uhuru Kenyatta, who congratulated his successor the day before.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi,
Albane Thirouard
It was to loud applause from the Kasarani stadium in Nairobi that
William Ruto
finished his speech.
The new president began by recalling his origins: today a boy from the village has become president of Kenya.
"
We must remember that we were elected to work together to ensure that our children can go to school, that our citizens have food and access to decent health care, that our young people have access to employment, and that our workers can live in dignity.
»
"
Before the nation and the world today, I stand with humility and deep joy, as living testimony that with the grace of God, the will to work hard, and a commitment to a vision, dreams can come true.
“, he continued.
He then promised
to “open all the doors that lead to opportunity, and keep them open until successful role models become the norm and not the exceptions
.”
And called on all elected officials “
to do the same.
»
The 60,000 seats in the stadium filled from 5 a.m.
William Ruto announced his first steps as president.
In particular a reduction in fertilizer prices which should, according to him, be effective from next week, and support agricultural producers to fight against high food and fuel prices.
He also said he was committed to fighting unemployment and supporting small businesses and that Kenya, under his presidency, would continue to be a partner for peace and security in the region.
The new president also hailed the electoral process which has just concluded, describing it as an "
exemplary democratic performance
".
He reiterated his readiness to work with all Kenyans, no matter who they voted for, expressing his wish to see a Kenya, "
rooted in democracy and rule of law
".
Calling for unity, he said he would "
work with all Kenyans no matter who they voted for
", and even went so far as to congratulate his opponent Raila Odinga.
A speech that contrasted with that held just before his vice-president, Rigathi Gachagua.
He did not fail to criticize the record of Uhuru Kenyatta's administration.
He asked Kenyans to "
pray
" for William Ruto and his team as the work "
promises to be difficult
".
He indeed painted a gloomy picture, pointing to a “
dilapped economy”
and an “
economic disaster
”, with a “
huge debt
” and mass unemployment.
Before speaking, William Ruto was sworn in to a round of applause, as Kenyans turned out en masse to see him accede to the supreme magistracy.
The 60,000 seats at the Nairobi stadium filled up from 5am.
Twenty Heads of State and Government also made the trip for the occasion.
BREAKING: William Samoei Ruto sworn in as the 5th President of Kenya at Kasarani Stadium#RutoInauguration #KenyasChoice2022 pic.twitter.com/nlByRWPCRN
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) September 13, 2022
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Kenya
William Ruto