President Kenyatta on Tuesday attended the inauguration of Zambia’s new President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka.
Hichilema was sworn in as the 7th President of Zambia alongside his Vice President Mutale Nalumango at the National Heroes Stadium.
The 59-year-old defeated the incumbent Edgar Lungu, 64, by nearly one million votes on his sixth bid for the presidency. Hichilema became the first southerner to win the presidency, which has been dominated by the north.
In his inauguration speech, Hichilema pledged to give equal opportunity to all Zambians, and ensure all citizens enjoy their freedoms as guaranteed by the constitution.
“We will focus on inclusion and not exclusion; unity and not division; and gathering and not a scattering of our people,” President Hichilema said.
He termed the peaceful election and transfer of power as a clear demonstration of Zambia’s strong democratic credentials to the world.
Other presidents present at the swearing-in ceremony included Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, Hage Geingob (Namibia), Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania) and King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also attended.
