First inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta explained

Event Name:Inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta

The inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta as the 4th president of Kenya took place on 9 April 2013.[1] [2] Kenyatta won 50.07% of the vote in the 2013 presidential election, after the supreme court dismissed the Raila petition on 30 March 2013. According to Article 141 (2) (b) of the constitution, in case the Supreme Court upholds the victory of the president-elect, the swearing in will take place on "the first Tuesday following the seventh day following the date on which the court renders a decision declaring the election to be valid."[3] The event was held at Kasarani Stadium.A reception bouquet took place at State House,Nairobi.

Background

When the first round of the presidential election took place on 4 March 2013, Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the president-elect of Kenya by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Raila Odinga challenged this in the Supreme Court of Kenya. However, his petition was dismissed on March 30, 2013.

Uhuru swearing will be 7th in Kenya after Jomo Kenyatta (1964), Daniel Arap Moi (1978, 1992, 1997) and Mwai Kibaki (2002, 2007)

Goodwill messages

Multilateral organisations

Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma issued a statement saluting the people of Kenya for their peaceful elections. She congratulated the president-elect, his running mate, the candidates and their parties for their contributions in this democratic process held under the new constitution. She also congratulated the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for conducting a complex electoral process.[4]

Africa

Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani said that Kenyatta should not set foot in Botswana if he refuses to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC).[6] He later retracted his earlier statement and apologised to Kenyans by saying that "Kenyatta is more than welcome to visit Botswana.. Botswana is cognisant of a section of the law that says one is innocent until proven guilty."[7]

Ambassador Ezechiel Nibigira conveyed President Pierre Nkurunziza's congratulatory message.

President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh congratulated Kenyatta saying that the fact that he was elected in the first round shows the faith Kenyans have in his capacity to deliver.[8]

The Egyptian Ambassador to Kenya Kadri Abdel Mottaleb delivered President Mohamed Morsi's congratulatory message.

President Girma Wolde-Giorgis sent a congratulatory message to Kenyatta and wished him success for his term and anticipated close bilateral cooperation between the two countries.[9]

President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Kenyatta and urged him to continue with the process of national healing and reconciliation. He also urged him to form an administration that will meet the aspirations of all Kenyans.[10]

Outgoing President Mwai Kibaki congratulated Kenyatta.[11]

Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo sent a congratulatory message on behalf of President Paul Kagame upon Kenyatta's victory saying that Rwanda supports the choice of Kenyans.[12]

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated Kenyatta on his victory. He urged the other candidates to respect the outcome of the election.[13]

President Jacob Zuma congratulated Kenyatta and the Kenyan people following the successful elections and looks forward to strength bilateral relations.[14]

The government congratulated Kenyatta and the Kenyan people on their country's successful elections. It said that its desire was to see the will of the Kenyan people expressed freely and fairly.[15]

President Omar al-Bashir conveyed his congratulatory message via the Sudanese Ambassador in Kenya.

President Jakaya Kikwete sent his congratulations on behalf of the government and citizens of Tanzania. He said his victory represented the trust and hope of the Kenyan people in his leadership.[16]

President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni congratulated Kenyatta saying that their conduct has redeemed the honor of Kenya and Africa. He looked forward to consolidate the brotherly relations between their countries.[17]

ZANU-PF described Kenyatta’s victory as a wake-up call to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, whose ally Raila Odinga was defeated. It called it a stunning "articulation to date of a renewed mood of self-assertion by Africa’s anti-colonial leaders."[18]

Americas

Ambassador Raúl Rodríguez Ramos delivered the congratulatory message from President Raúl Castro.

Asia

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman congratulated Kenyatta on winning the election. She said that China values its relations with Kenya and regards it as an important partner.[19]

High Commissioner Sibabrata Tripathi delivered President Pranab Mukherjee's congratulatory message.

High Commissioner Rafi-uz-Zaman Siddiqui conveyed a congratulatory message from President Asif Ali Zardari.

Ambassador Ibrahim bin Mohamed conveyed King Khalifa's congratulatory message.

Ambassador Ghurum Bin Said Ghurum conveyed King Abdullah's congratulatory message.

Europe

congratulated Kenyatta on his win and pledged to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.[20]

Planning

No activities will take place at the Kasarani Stadium between 9 March and the inauguration date as security officers make the necessary arrangements. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony along with foreign heads of state.[21]

All president of EAC and neighbouring country have been invited as well as UK prime minister, EU president and President of USA.

The schedule of the day according to Francis Kimemia the chairman committee of Assumption of power of the will be as follow[22]

Kenyatta will take two oaths; – one pledging allegiance to the Constitution and the second is the solemn affirmation of due execution of office of president.

President Kibaki will then hand over the Instruments of Power and Authority to Kenyatta, which will be followed by fanfare and the National Anthem during which Kibaki’s presidential Standard will be lowered while Kenyatta’s will be hoisted simultaneously.

A 21-gun salute will follow, and Kibaki will be given his Standard by the Chief of Defence Forces.

Ruto will then take his two oaths, after which the Guard of Honour will march off the stadium to be followed by a session of entertainment."Once he is sworn in, Deputy President William Ruto will invite Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to make a speech on behalf of invited dignitaries and then invite outgoing President Mwai Kibaki to make his valedictory speech," Kimemia said.Ruto will then deliver his speech as Deputy President and then invite Kenyatta to make his inaugural address to the nation.

Once the festivities which are set to begin at 10am and end at 2pm are over, Kibaki will lead the way out and receive Kenyatta at State House where a lunch with invited Heads of State will take place before leaving the house on the hill and all it entails to him

Foreign dignitaries

The following dignitaries attended the ceremony:[23]

Heads of state and government
Prime Minister
President Joseph Kabila
President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh
Prime Minister Hesham Qandil
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn
President Ali Bongo Ondimba
Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane
President Goodluck Jonathan
President Paul Kagame
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
President Jacob Zuma
President Salva Kiir Mayardit
President Jakaya Kikwete
President Yoweri Museveni
President Robert Mugabe
Government representatives
Under SG for Africa and the Middle East Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto
1st Vice-President Therence Sinunguruza
Special Envoy Zhang Baowen
Minister for Foreign Affairs Hanna Tetteh
Minister of State for H.R. Development Shashi Tharoor
María de Lourdes Aranda Bezaury
Vice President Khumbo Kachali
Vice President Danny Faure
Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation Gitanjana Gunawardena
Special Presidential Envoy Choung Byoung
Minister of Energy Suhail Al Mazrouie
Special Envoy of His Holiness Francisco Padilla
Vice President Guy Scott
Heads of multilateral organizations
Chairperson of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya
Deputy Secretary General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba
Other attendees
Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior
Special Guest of the President-Elect Jesse Jackson
Former Presidents Rupiah Banda
Kenneth Kaunda

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Plans to swear in Uhuru begin . 12 March 2013 . . 13 March 2013.
  2. Web site: Plans to swear in UHURU KENYATTA begin as Kasarani Stadium is LOCKED DOWN . 13 March 2013 . Kenyan DAILY POST . 13 March 2013.
  3. http://www.jambonewspot.com/inauguration-ceremony-on-april-9th-at-the-kasarani-stadium/ Inauguration ceremony on 9 April at the Kasarani Stadium
  4. Web site: Statement by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Announcement of the Results in the Kenyan Elections . 11 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130331015854/http://cpauc.au.int/en/content/statement-dr-nkosazana-dlamini-zuma-chairperson-african-union-commission-announcement-result . 31 March 2013 . dead .
  5. Web site: EAC Secretary General Congratulates President-Elect Uhuru Kenyatta . 11 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013.
  6. Web site: Skelemani warns Kenyatta on ICC . 12 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013.
  7. Web site: Botswana minister makes Uhuru ICC U-turn . 14 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013.
  8. Web site: Djibouti president congratulates Kenya's president-elect . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131223/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-03/13/c_132231178.htm . dead . 4 March 2016 . 13 March 2013 . xinhuanet.com . 14 March 2013.
  9. Web site: President Girma congratulates President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta . 13 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013.
  10. Web site: Jonathan Congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta . 10 March 2013 . thisdaylive.com . 14 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130313090916/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jonathan-congratulates-uhuru-kenyatta/141715 . 13 March 2013 . dead .
  11. Web site: President Kibaki congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta . 9 March 2013 . statehousekenya.go.ke . 14 March 2013 . https://archive.today/20130413142210/http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/news/march2013/2013090301.htm . 13 April 2013 . dead .
  12. Web site: Kagame congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta . 10 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130314172729/http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15292&a=13466 . 14 March 2013 . dead .
  13. Web site: Somalia's leaders congratulate Uhuru Kenyatta . 10 March 2013 . hiiraan.com . 14 March 2013.
  14. Web site: South Africa congratulates the newly elected President of Kenya . 9 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013.
  15. Web site: South Sudan Congratulates Kenyans On Successful Polls . 11 March 2013 . Gurtong . 14 March 2013.
  16. Web site: Kikwete salutes Uhuru Kenyatta for poll victory . 9 March 2013 . The Citizen (Tanzania) . 14 March 2013.
  17. Web site: Museveni congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta . 9 March 2013 . New Vision (Uganda) . 14 March 2013.
  18. Web site: Zanu PF revels in Odinga loss . 11 March 2013 . NewsDay Zimbabwe . 14 March 2013.
  19. Web site: China congratulates Kenyatta on election victory . https://web.archive.org/web/20130313222625/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-03/11/c_132225468.htm . dead . 13 March 2013 . 11 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013.
  20. Web site: Russia welcomes Uhuru's poll victory. 13 March 2013 . . 14 March 2013.
  21. Web site: Presidential swearing in on March 26 if court confirms victory . 11 March 2013 . The Star (Kenya) . 14 March 2013.
  22. http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2013/04/uhurus-wife-to-hold-bible-as-he-takes-oath/ Uhuru’s wife to hold Bible as he takes oath. Olive Burrows
  23. Web site: Heads of state, envoys to attend Uhuru inauguration . 8 April 2013 . 24tanzania.com . 8 April 2013.