Uhuru Kenyatta Sworn In For Second Term As Kenya’s President

Uhuru Kenyatta was on Tuesday sworn in for a second term as the President of Kenya.

The inauguration which took in Nairobi’s Kasarani stadium, brought to an end prolonged electoral saga that has gripped the country in recent months.

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Local media reports that while the ceremony took place police used tear gas to disperse protesters who tried to force their way into the stadium.

This year’s election has been rife with controversy amid allegations of vote tampering, an unprecedented high court ruling which nullified the initial vote and sporadic bouts of violence in opposition strongholds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IBEC) had returned Kenyatta as winner of the first poll held on Aug. 8, before the country’s Supreme Court annulled the election in September.

The annulment followed a petition by opposition opponent, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, who came second in the election.

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The Supreme Court nullified the election on the grounds of “illegalities and irregularities” and ordered a rerun within 60 days.

Mr Raila Odinga had boycotted the October rerun, saying it would be unfair because the election commission had failed to implement reforms. Kenyatta won with 98% of the vote.

The Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, announced that the National Super Alliance (NASA) candidate Odinga got only 0.96% of the vote despite his boycott.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, joined other world leaders in gracing the occasion.

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