Thousands Of Kenyans Arrive At Venue Of Kenyatta Inauguration
Kenyans packed a local stadium to witness the swearing in of Uhuru Kenyatta as president on Tuesday (April 9) after a peaceful election that has left Western nations with the challenge of how to deal with a leader indicted by the International Criminal Court.
Many Kenyans hope the son of the nation's independence hero will live up to his pledge to be a leader for all and not just work for people from his own ethnic group, a practice weary Kenyans have come to expect from their politicians.
Tens of thousands of Kenyans, many waving flags, gathered for the ceremony at a Nairobi stadium from the early morning.
Supporters want the 51-year-old former finance minister, whose family controls a sprawling business empire, to deliver faster economic growth and help swathes of poor in the nation of more than 40 million people.
The local stadium where the swearing in ceremony is expected to takes place has so far filled to capacity with the gates officially closed.
The stadium holds a capacity of sixty thousand. Most of those who wished to attend are being diverted to other areas where they will witness the swearing in.
Western states regard Kenya as crucial to regional stability and have supported the role played by Kenyan and other African troops in efforts to push back al Qaeda-affiliated Islamist militants in neighbouring Somalia.
Kenyatta and his deputy president, William Ruto, who is also facing charges of crimes against humanity, have both promised to work with the court to clear their names of charges they deny.
He is accused of orchestrating tribal blood-letting after the disputed vote five years ago that killed 1,200 people.
Presented by Adam Justice