Uhuru Kenyatta finally congratulated President-elect William Ruto
Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta finally congratulated President-elect William Ruto by name ahead of his inauguration on Tuesday, shortly after the two leaders met at State House in Nairobi.
President Kenyatta, in a televised address on Monday, expressed his and his family’s best wishes to Dr Ruto as he takes over the mantles of power as Kenya’s fifth president.
“My entire family and I join all Kenyans in wishing the very best to our next president Dr William Samoei Ruto and in extending to him our warmest congratulations for receiving the mandate of Kenyans to leaders as our next president,” said the outgoing Head of State.
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He also said he was ready to hand over power to the new president at the ceremony set to be held at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi, which he called a sign of Kenya’s democracy.
“As the hallmark of our democracy, I will tomorrow, before God and you my fellow countrymen, had over the instruments of power to our new president and with that, the fourth administration will come to and end and the tenure of the fourth administration will begin,” said Mr Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta hosted Dr Ruto and incoming First Lady Rachel Ruto at State House in the afternoon.
Mr Uhuru who had endorsed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as his preferred successor had yet congratulated Dr Ruto since his declaration as president-elect on August 15.
In his address, Mr Kenyatta also urged Dr Ruto to be a leader of all Kenyans and not just those who voted him in, so that the country will be united under his administration.
“Mr President-elect, as you walk the path to your inauguration and beyond, you will be the president of not just those who voted for you but for all Kenyans,” he said.
Added the president: “In the prophetic words of our national anthem: we are all summoned to purposefully dwell in unity, peace and liberty; working hard and together so that plenty will be found in our borders.”
-Citizen
