Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was not in attendance as President Uhuru Kenyatta was being sworn into office, reportedly due to security concerns.
Mr Netanyahu was expected to be present as President Kenyatta took the oath of office but he was a no-show at the Kasarani Stadium where the inauguration was being held.
However, the Israel Prime Minister will still be jetting into the country as he had earlier stated that his purpose to visit Kenya was not only to attend President Kenyatta’s inauguration.
A statement by Mr Netanyahu read in part: "The purpose of the trip to Kenya is to deepen ties with Africa, by establishing connections with nations with which we do not have diplomatic relations."
[caption caption="President Uhuru taking the oath of office"]
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The Prime Minister is scheduled to attend a luncheon at Statehouse, Nairobi alongside other heads of state who were in attendance at Kasarani.
Mr Netanyahu had congratulated President Kenyatta in a November 2 letter on his “landslide victory.”
In July 2016, Netanyahu became the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to visit Kenya.
Mr Kenyatta won a second five-year term following the October 26 repeat presidential election boycotted by National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair.
“There has never before been anything like this, in political, security, economic or social terms. Israel is now in the best situation it has been in since its founding,” he stated on Monday.
President Kenyatta took the oath of allegiance and due execution of his office at a ceremony that was presided over by Chief Justice David Maraga.
[caption caption="Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu with his wife "]
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He took the oath which was administered by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi, pledging to uphold the Constitution and rule justly.
