Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been sworn in at a
ceremony with thousands of cheering, flag-waving spectators in the capital,
Nairobi.
"And that I will protect and uphold, the sovereignty and integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya, so help me God." (cheering)
The event is the culmination of a peaceful March election in which Mr. Kenyatta defeated outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The president has pledged to work to improve the lives of all Kenyans.
Other African heads of state attended the ceremony Tuesday. Some Western nations sent ambassadors as they limit their contact with the new president because of his pending trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
During a speech at the inauguration, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni congratulated Kenyans for electing Mr. Kenyatta and defying what he said was "blackmail" by the ICC.
Mr. Kenyatta is facing charges of crimes against humanity for allegedly helping organize post-election ethnic violence in early 2008 that killed more than 1,100 people and displaced 600,000 others. His trial is to begin in July.
Mr. Kenyatta's deputy, William Ruto, is set to go on trial at the ICC next month in connection with the violence. Both men have denied the charges.
The president narrowly earned enough votes to avoid a run-off in the March 4th election. Mr. Odinga challenged the results, but Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the election.
"And that I will protect and uphold, the sovereignty and integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya, so help me God." (cheering)
The event is the culmination of a peaceful March election in which Mr. Kenyatta defeated outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The president has pledged to work to improve the lives of all Kenyans.
Other African heads of state attended the ceremony Tuesday. Some Western nations sent ambassadors as they limit their contact with the new president because of his pending trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
During a speech at the inauguration, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni congratulated Kenyans for electing Mr. Kenyatta and defying what he said was "blackmail" by the ICC.
Mr. Kenyatta is facing charges of crimes against humanity for allegedly helping organize post-election ethnic violence in early 2008 that killed more than 1,100 people and displaced 600,000 others. His trial is to begin in July.
Mr. Kenyatta's deputy, William Ruto, is set to go on trial at the ICC next month in connection with the violence. Both men have denied the charges.
The president narrowly earned enough votes to avoid a run-off in the March 4th election. Mr. Odinga challenged the results, but Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the election.
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