Countries within East African Community EAC except Tanzania, Burundi sent their presidents

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn at State House, Nairobi on 28th November, 2017. (Photo: Courtesy)

Eleven heads of state and government attended the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi on Tuesday.

In a show of regional support, all the countries within the East African Community (EAC) except Tanzania and Burundi sent their presidents to the ceremony.

Sitting presidents who were at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani were Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Edgar Lungu (Zambia), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Ian Khama (Botswana), Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmajo’ (Somalia ), Hage Geingob (Namibia) and Ali Bongo (Gabon).

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and his Togo and Guinea counterparts also attended the fete.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present at the luncheon at State House, Nairobi.

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli skipped the event but sent his Vice President Samia Suluhu.

Nigerian Vice President Yesi Osinbajo also graced the function.

Also present were representatives from the African Union – Pierre Buyoya and Rupia Banda.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki was also present. Over 40 delegations attended the event, including envoys and foreign ministers.

During President Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration in 2013, about 12 heads of state attended.

Safety concerns

Mr Netanyahu arrived late yesterday, skipping the inauguration ceremony due to safety concerns.

According to the Israeli media, Netanyahu would not appear at the ceremony due to “some concerns over his safety in a massive crowd”.

His security service did not give a go-ahead.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry on its official Twitter handle said he would meet with 10 African leaders and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

His mission to Kenya “is to deepen (Israel’s) ties with Africa, including by establishing connections with nations with which we do not have diplomatic relations,” wrote an Israeli news website.

“Four (Israeli) diplomatic offices have been opened in Africa in the past two years, and I hope that by the end of today I will be able to announce the opening of yet another Israeli embassy in an African nation. And this is just the beginning.”

The website says Netanyahu was officially travelling to honour the re-election of President Kenyatta.

Netanyahu was expected to give an address late on Tuesday.

This marks Netanyahu’s third trip to Africa in three months. He also came to Kenya last year.

Israel’s Director General of the Foreign Affairs ministry Yuval Rotem said Netanyahu’s visit exemplified “the special place of this great continent in Israel’s foreign relations”.

And dignitaries who spoke at the inauguration steered clear of Kenya’s internal political affairs.

Unlike in the past, Mr Museveni only spoke briefly, congratulating President Kenyatta on his re-election and wishing him well as he starts his second and final term. There were no written speeches.

“On behalf of your brothers in Uganda, I am here to congratulate you for being elected for a second time, and for ensuring there is peace before and after the elections,” said Museveni, who is also the East Africa Community chairman.

“I appeal to Kenyans to remember four important things; peace, prosperity, development and politics. Do not think about politics alone, and forget the three other things I have mentioned,” added the Ugandan president before he exited the stage.

Mr Kagame who spoke in a mixture of both Kiswahili and English was even more brief.

“I am here to say congratulations.  The people of Rwanda send warm greetings and congratulate you for the elections that were conducted well,” he said.

Mr Lungu said African leaders were elated that the highly contested elections had come to a conclusion. “We were worried as leaders from the continent that the election process took very long. God bless the great people of Kenya,” he said.