Kenya’s fifth president took the oath of office on 13th September 2022 at a colourful celebration held at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
Kasarani Arrival.
By the time I got to Kasarani at 5.30am, thousands were already in the Stadium and thousands more were making their way in on foot, boda boda and cars to make sure they arrived before the stadium was at capacity.
Inside the Stadium.
From the streets, I made my way into the Stadium at around 7am. It was packed to capacity and gates had been closed for a while with no room left to accommodate more enthusiastic Kenyans.
For those who had made their way inside, the joy of having their favourite candidate in the August 9 elections become the 5th President was palatable.
And these were the signs of the times.
Entertainment.
Musicians were tasked with entertaining the crowd as they waited for the arrival of the incoming President and his Deputy. And entertain them they did.
Every set was greeted with cheers from the capacity crowd at Kasarani.
When the DJ played Emmy Kosgei’s Taunet Nelel, no one could remain seated. This hit is over 10 years old and still has the same effect as it did the day it was released.
Last Minute Preparations.
Meanwhile on the Presidential Dias, last minute touches were being done to make sure everything was ready for the great occasion.
Kenya Defence Forces took the time to rehearse the Guard of Honour which was to be inspected by the outgoing President.
As the clock approached 10 and with about 20 heads of state and government from across Africa expected, those assigned to receive them made their way to the front of the Dias.
When the KDF Band and Soldiers returned to the Stadium in full ceremonial regalia, we knew the moment thousands had been waiting for was very near.
Last Guard of Honour.
Uhuru Kenyatta arrived and inspected his last Guard of Honour as the 4th President.
Swearing In Ceremony.
A few minutes to 1pm, Dr William Ruto prepared to take his Oath of Office with his wife Rachel by his side. He was clearly overjoyed. It was a big day not just for him, but for the country as a whole.
At 1.03pm, Dr William Samoei Ruto took his Oath of Office.
And at 1.16pm, Rigathi Gachagua took his Oath of Office.
Kenya now had a new President and Deputy President.
Instruments of Power.
Uhuru Kenyatta handing over instruments of power to Dr William Ruto was greeted with cheers from the crowd.
This moment was huge! After an apparent ‘fallout’ between the two, it was nice to see a brotherly hug that hasn’t been seen since Uhuru’s handshake with Raila. (I still think the Uhuru-Ruto enmity is a fictional, highly rated political series that has been running since 2018)
By the way, wasn’t former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta looking all that!
More Entertainment.
The leadership handover was followed by another round of entertainment.
Zabron Singers performing Mkono wa Bwana had the entire stadium on their feet!
Inaugural Address.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua then made his address to the nation.
He later invited President Dr William Samoei Ruto to make his address.
Ruto’s address felt more presidential, touching on matters of national importance that we as a country need to anticipate and plan for moving forward.
He invited fellow heads of state to address the nation.
H. E. Kaguta Museveni of Uganda.
Burundi’s Évariste Ndayishimiye.
Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Dr William Ruto’s Presidential Standard flag.
At the close of the ceremony, Dr William Ruto took a lap of honour round the stadium in the Ceremonial Landcruiser and was greeted with cheers from the crowd that remained to the end of the ceremony.
It was 9 hours of shooting that left me tired but fulfilled.
I hope you enjoyed the storytelling.