KENYA: Kenya's new president Uhuru Kenyatta promises to deliver on pledges made during his successful election campaign at his inauguration

Record ID: 362570

  • Title: KENYA: Kenya's new president Uhuru Kenyatta promises to deliver on pledges made during his successful election campaign at his inauguration
  • Date: 9th April 2013
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (APRIL 9, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NAIROBI RESIDENTS WATCHING TELEVISION IN A BAR AS SWEARING IN OF NEW PRESIDENT GOES ON VARIOUS OF NAIROBI RESIDENT, STEPHEN KIMANI, LOOKING ON HIS PHONE PEOPLE WATCHING TV (SOUNDBITE) (English) NAIROBI RESIDENT, STEPHEN KIMANI, SAYING: "I think he is a young leader, for his focus is on the youth and I think for that we
  • Embargoed: 24th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA41RH0N5Y4IFM988P9D8MJIY2Z
  • Story Text: Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's first president Jomo Kenyatta, took the oath of office in front of dozens of African leaders and dignitaries on Tuesday (April 9), promising to deliver on campaign promises, starting with the economy, but ensuring national cohesion and unity.
    Delivering his first address after being formally inaugurated at a soccer stadium in the capital Nairobi, Kenyatta said the Kenyan economy was at the top of his priority list.

    "Today I pledge that my administration will work towards diversifying our economic base. We will support the manufacturing industry and support all enterprises, both local and international, that strive to create finished goods using local labour and materials," he said.

    "I also pledge, that my Government, as the largest buyer of goods and services will take the lead in supporting local industry, by buying Kenyan first," he added.
    Many Kenyans hope that Kenyatta, a 51-year-old former finance minister, will now deliver a swift improvement in the economy, which has yet to return to the 7 percent growth rate attained before the December 2007 vote.
    Kenyatta added that he and his cabinet would ensure that Kenyan's trust in government was restored.

    "Where there is opportunity denied - we will open new frontiers, and through our actions, we will renew our faith in government as an instrument of good," he said.

    "Let me reiterate that even as we work together to promote inclusion, open new frontiers and create new opportunities, we will not tolerate those who continue to threaten the peace and security of our citizens," he added.
    Some of those watching his speech on television in a bar in Nairobi said they were hopeful of a better future with the new younger president.

    "I think he is a young leader for his focus is on the youth and I think for that we will progress in this country," Stephen Kimani.
    said.

    "I think security is of much importance to me, at least I find myself safer in Kenya. Yes he is young as people might say but I think he is so promising, he is so much of a leader than a politician, I can see, but he has the capacity to lead us and take us where we want to be," said Susan Meeme.
    The peaceful transition of power has helped to rebuild Kenya's reputation as one of Africa's most stable democracies, after violence five years ago, when 1,200 died.
    Newly sworn Kenyatta is charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) with crimes against humanity for orchestrating an orgy of intercommunal violence after the last presidential election five years ago. He denies this and has repeatedly promised to work with the court to clear his name.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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