Nairobi — Perched in treetops, up lamp posts, and balancing precariously on rooftops, Kenyans from all walks of life thronged Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi to witness the swearing-in of their new president, and former opposition leader, Emilio Mwai Kibaki.
Bearing images of Kibaki on their heads and chests, and flashing the victory symbol of Kibakis National Rainbow Coalition (Narc), the jubilant supporters began gathering at the inauguration venue in the capital as early as 05h00, singing and dancing as the bright skies turned into scorching sunlight.
Chanting "rainbow, rainbow," an ocean of humanity, as far as the eye could see, gave a rapturous welcome to Kibaki as he was lifted onto the VIP dais in a wheelchair. Kibaki was involved in a motor accident in early December while campaigning for the presidency for the third time in a decade, leaving him with a dislocated shoulder and a broken ankle.
Smiling proudly and looking alternately emotional and overwhelmed, Kibaki took the oath of office still seated in the wheelchair, to excited cheers, whistles and campaign chants to his supporters and well-wishers.
People trying to catch a glimpse of the event filled the windows and balconies of nearby buildings, extending the sea of happy faces way beyond the open-air Uhuru Park.
The presidents of neighbouring Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi witnessed Kibaki's inauguration as well as the Burundian prime minister and South Africas first lady, Zanele Mbeki, representing her husband, Thabo.
Caught unawares when asked to speak, Mrs Mbekis brief comments received thunderous applause. She congratulated Kenyans on their peaceful election adding that, "the victory of the people of Kenya is the victory of all the people of Africa."
The euphoria that greeted the arrival of Kibaki, Ugandas Yoweri Museveni, President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania and the Zambian leader, Levy Mwanawasa, was in sharp contrast to hostility towards Kenyas outgoing president, Daniel arap Moi. It was anything but a fond farewell for the man who had led Kenyans for 24 years. "Moi must go. Everything is possible without Moi," the masses chanted.
Moi was jeered by sections of the crowd, who shouted "Go away, go away" and "Bye-bye" as he gave his valedictory speech. Drowned out by boos, whenever he said something that displeased them, Kenya's veteran leader soldiered on with his address and wished his former vice-president, now President Kibaki, well.
But clods of earth were hurled from the crowds toward the presidential platform whenever the assembled crowds became impatient or disagreed with developments they were witnessing at the other end of Uhuru Park. A few people were reported injured and the police seemed unable or unwilling to keep stricter order when hundreds of youths surged forward, jostling VIPs, threatening to cause chaos and turn a happy event into a potential disaster.
The only time he was applauded, Moi paid tribute to his successor saying: "If our political paths separated in the multi-party era, I have always respected him as a man of integrity and courage. These qualities will, I am sure, serve Kenya well," adding that his task was now done and that Kibaki and the new government faced enormous challenges.
Moi said that Kanu - the party he has led for 24 years and which had been in power in Kenya since independence - would now have to prove its mettle in opposition. "Politics is about winning and losing. Today Kanu (Kenya African National Union) must accept that it lost the election. This may be hard after 40 years in power. But in a democracy, opposition - constructive opposition - has a vital role to play. The opposition must challenge the government. It must keep the government on its toes."
It was a successful challenge by the opposition - which united for the first time and delivered a resounding blow to Kanu - that successfully wrested power from the governing party in Fridays general election. Kibaki had twice tried and failed to win the presidency in the 1992 and 1997 elections.
Kibaki told the crowds that he had inherited a country hobbled by corruption and years of misrule and ineptitude. He pledged to end "'anything goes' government... run on the whims of individuals," saying this era had "gone forever". Key decisions made on the hoof, which Kibaki described as "roadside policy declarations" were a thing of the past, he said.
To loud and enthusiastic cheers of support, Kibaki said: "Corruption will now cease to be a way of life in Kenya." He called on all Kenyans "to come out and fight corruption and agree to support the government in fighting corruption as our first priority." The appeal was well received among Kenyans who have long accused the Moi government of allowing graft to flourish, even though it was wrecking the economy.
But Kenya's new leader said his administration would not "engage in a witch-hunting" against Kanu politicians. He did, however, note that "one would have preferred to overlook some of the all too obvious human errors and forge ahead. But it would be unfair to Kenyans not to raise questions about certain deliberate actions or policies of the past that continue to have grave consequences on the present."
Later at a lunch at State House, the official presidential residence, the newly-inaugurated Kibaki again warned his Narc MPs and officials against corruption and said that in this battle, "Kenyans will be on our side. Eradicate corruption and we can have a new Kenya."
Rebuilding the economy, a focus on healthcare, poverty and free universal primary education were also a top priority for Kenya, said Kibaki.
Those repeated campaign pledges prompted loud applause and whistles from the crowds, hundreds of whom had tramped from Nairobis giant slum, Kibera, a few miles from Uhuru Park. Slum residents rubbed shoulders with civil servants, business executives and professionals, petty traders, the unwaged and street children as Kenyans joined together riding a wave of shared excitement and expectations.
They are full of hope for change in their country and have put their confidence in Mwai Kibaki. "We have been praying for a change. We are expecting new things, including free education," was a comment from many of the Narc supporters.
Another said: "We are all looking for change in all aspects, getting jobs and going to school, thats what we have been wanting for the last 24 years. We dont expect change right now, change will come gradually." Others want immediate change and a better life, as one put it: "We need to give Kibaki time, a few days, to see whether he can run and whether he is somebody who can really kick."
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Others spoke with admiration about what they called Kibakis impeccable credentials, making him an ideal new leader for Kenya. "He is an economist, he is an intellectual, he is a politician, he is a leader. Its a changing of the guard. The last 39 years Kanu has been ruling, but Kenyans want a new government installed so that we can have everything new."
But once the euphoric mood is over and Kibaki names a new government, it will be straight to business for the new leaders. They will then face the difficult challenge of proving that they can deliver on their campaign promises.
As he left for a new life of retirement away from the seat of government, a dejected ex-President Moi congratulated Kenyans for demonstrating political maturity and exercising their "democratic rights in a peaceful way".
But Moi's words also carried a hint of warning for Kibaki and Narc, seeming to predict tough times ahead for the Rainbow Coalition which is made up of some long-time opposition politicians but an equally ambitious sprinkling of Kanu defectors, who all served under Moi.
He told Kenyans: "Today I hand over the heavy burden of office. I do so with mixed feelings. We have come a long way together. We have accomplished much. But there is much more to do. Over the next five years, they [Kibaki and the Narc government] have the responsibility of living up to the trust you have shown in them. May they be worthy of it."
