President Uhuru Kenyatta handed over the instruments of power to his successor, William Ruto on Tuesday, September 13, during the inauguration ceremony at the Kasarani stadium.
In an event that was marked with pomp and colour, Uhuru handed over the sword and Constitution to Ruto as a symbol of the completion of the transition process according to the Assumption of the Office of the President Act.
Ruto also received the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart- the highest award in the country that is bestowed upon the holders of the office of the president.
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/1S0M4Zy2ioQ.jpg?itok=jPm8bhgh","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
The aide de camp Stelu Lekolol also shifted from Uhuru to Ruto as the change of guard took shape.
Uhuru and Ruto also switched seats with the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Robert Kibochi guiding Kenya's 5th President to take his new place.
The ceremony kicked off after Uhuru inspected the parade by the Kenya Defence Forces. The Kenya Navy proceeded to fire a 21-gun salute in honour of the new president. Ruto's Standard was also hoisted to mark the change in guard.
The event was attended by over regional presidents, heads of governments and other dignitaries who witnessed history as the country crowned its fifth head of state since independence.
Among the heads of state who attended included Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Umaro Sissoco Embaló (Guinea Bissau) among others.
As soon as Ruto took his oath of office, the aide-de-camp shifted from the outgoing president to the incoming president as part of the transition process. He will now accompany Ruto in all official duties until a new aide is appointed.
Over the past week, Uhuru confirmed that he would ensure a peaceful transition process supporting Ruto's rival, Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Uhuru maintained that his president would still be the Azimio flagbearer, despite the Supreme court verdict upholding Ruto's victory.
"I will hand over power smiling because it's my Constitutional duty but my leader is Baba, Raila Odinga. Do not yourselves to be bought or pocketed," he stated.
