Kenyatta gives Ruto ‘democratic’ handshake on inauguration, as Odinga ignores invitation

The former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, after the divisive elections in which he supported an opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, against the former Vice President, William Ruto, now the President of Kenya, gave Ruto, what observers described as ‘democratic’ handshake on Monday in readiness for the inauguration on Tuesday.

Kenyatta, who had restrained from congratulating Ruto on his victory in the presidential election, at last, shook hands with the new President of Kenya during a meeting at the presidential residence on Monday, setting the stage for smooth handover.

Ruto was on Tuesday sworn into office as the fifth post-independence President of Kenya. The Chief Justice of Kenya’s Supreme Court, Justice Martha Koome, administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office on Ruto at the Nairobi Stadium on Tuesday.

Taking the Oath, Ruto declared: “I William Samoei Ruto, in full realisation of the high calling I assume as president of Kenya, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the public of Kenya, that I will obey, preserve and protect this constitution of Kenya.”

Ruto, therefore, assured that there will be no politics of bitterness but appealed for the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation in his administration. He, therefore, extended a “hand of brotherhood” to all political leaders in Kenya, having earlier declared: “We are not enemies. We are Kenyans,” Ruto said after the court’s decision.

The opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, declined to honour an invitation for the presidential inauguration on Tuesday. He was said to have deliberately traveled out of Kenya on Tuesday, as he protested that the election was not “free and fair”.