Kenya's new president formally sworn in

NAIROBI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta officially took office on Tuesday after being sworn into office as the East African nation's fourth president.

The 51-year-old Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto were sworn into at an elaborate ceremony which was attended by 11 African presidents and other dignitaries in Nairobi.

The oaths were administered by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Gladys Shollei in the presence of Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and witnessed by millions of of Kenyans who attended the ceremony and those who followed it on their televisions.

"I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Kenya," said Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's founding father, Jomo Kenyatta, holding a bible as he took the oath of office. His wife Margaret Kenyatta stood by him

The East African nation's new leader took two oaths, one pledging allegiance to the Constitution and the second, a solemn affirmation of due execution of office of president.

Kenyatta took over the instruments of power – a sword and a copy of the Constitution from the out-going President Mwai Kibaki who has served his two consecutive terms.

According to military officials the sworn symbolizes leadership role he was going to perform as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya.

The African leaders at the ceremony include, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, South Sudan President Salva Kiiir Mayardit, Uganda's President and Comesa Chairman Yoweri Museveni, Tanzania President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Ethiopia's Prime Minister and African Chairman Hailemariam Desalegn.

Others presidents attending are South Africa's Jacob Zuma, Rwanda's Paul Kagame, Nigeria's Jonathan Goodluck, Gabon's Ali Bongo Ondimba and Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila Kabange.

Three Prime Ministers that have also confirmed attendance are Morocco's Abdelilah Benkirane, Algeria's Abelmalek Sellal and Egypt's Hisham Kandil.

Special envoys include Seychelles Vice-President Danny Faure, Burundi First Vice-President Terence Sinunguruza and Malawi Vice President Khumbo Kachali.

The new constitution demands new president must be sworn in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. previously the swearing in was a "haphazard" affair.

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