Tens of thousands of Kenyans cheered Tuesday as Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as the country's new president.
"And that I will protect and uphold, the sovereignty and integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya, so help me God." (cheering)
Several African heads of state attended the inauguration ceremony at a Nairobi stadium.
One of them, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, praised Kenyans for electing Mr. Kenyatta and not giving in to what he called the "blackmail" of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has charged Mr. Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto with crimes against humanity for their alleged roles in post-election violence that swept Kenya after the 2007 elections.
The new Kenyan president made no direct reference to the charges in his inaugural speech but said Kenya will strive "to uphold its international obligations." He also said no one country or group of countries should have control of international institutions.
The event is the culmination of a peaceful March election in which Mr. Kenyatta defeated outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The president narrowly earned enough votes to avoid a run-off in the March 4 election. Mr. Odinga challenged the results, but Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the results.
Mr. Kenyatta, who is 51, is one of Kenya's richest men and the son of founding president Jomo Kenyatta.
The new president's trial at The Hague is scheduled for July, and Ruto's trial is set to begin next month. Both men have denied the charges against them.
"And that I will protect and uphold, the sovereignty and integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya, so help me God." (cheering)
Several African heads of state attended the inauguration ceremony at a Nairobi stadium.
One of them, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, praised Kenyans for electing Mr. Kenyatta and not giving in to what he called the "blackmail" of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has charged Mr. Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto with crimes against humanity for their alleged roles in post-election violence that swept Kenya after the 2007 elections.
The new Kenyan president made no direct reference to the charges in his inaugural speech but said Kenya will strive "to uphold its international obligations." He also said no one country or group of countries should have control of international institutions.
The event is the culmination of a peaceful March election in which Mr. Kenyatta defeated outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The president narrowly earned enough votes to avoid a run-off in the March 4 election. Mr. Odinga challenged the results, but Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the results.
Mr. Kenyatta, who is 51, is one of Kenya's richest men and the son of founding president Jomo Kenyatta.
The new president's trial at The Hague is scheduled for July, and Ruto's trial is set to begin next month. Both men have denied the charges against them.