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Tuesday, January 6, 1998 Published at 13:36 GMT



World

President Moi sworn in for fifth and "final" time
image: [ Moi takes the presidential oath ]
Moi takes the presidential oath

The Kenyan President, Daniel arap Moi, has been sworn in for a new five-year term, after being declared the winner of last week's presidential election.

Mr Moi, who has ruled Kenya for 19 years, gained more than 40% of the vote and beat his closest challenger, the Democratic Party's Mwai Kibaki, by about 10%. The 73-year-old leader has said this will be his fifth and final term in office.


[ image: Moi supporters watch the inaugural ceremony]
Moi supporters watch the inaugural ceremony
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Moi said: "I swear I will perform the duties of the president of the Republic of Kenya faithfully, and with commitment and clear conscience, and that I will champion all the people according to the law without fear, favor or hatred."

The ceremony in Nairobi was attended by the presidents of Uganda and Tanzania.

But the two main opposition leaders have complained of irregularities in the election and demanded a re-run of the presidential contest.


Paul Haddow, head of international electoral observers, based in Nairobi, gives his assessment of the vote (1'47")
Mr Kibaki and Raila Odinga -- who both stood as candidates -- said the poll was neither free nor fair.

They said a new ballot should be ordered within 21 days because irregularities in the chaotic poll had affected the outcome.

Yet the chairman of Kenya's Electoral Commission, Samuel Kivuitu, said the commission would not attempt to force a repeat of the presidential election.

"We have no power. There is nobody now who can say the elections are null and void, even the courts," he said.

In the parliamentary vote, the latest results show Mr Moi's Kenya African National Union (Kanu) achieving only a tiny majority.

Kanu, however, is already claiming victory throughout the country.

It also promised to deal "swiftly and firmly" with those who rejected the result.

Voting amid violence


[ image: The vote has attracted violence and accusations of corruption]
The vote has attracted violence and accusations of corruption
The election process was called into doubt by delays and widespread allegations from all sides of vote rigging. It was also marred by violence.

Two people were shot dead by security forces when violence flared in the town of Nakuru in the Rift Valley. Furious voters had demanded an explanation for delays and accused the ruling party of vote rigging.

Elsewhere there were reports of too few ballot papers being delivered and of voters turning on electoral officials in frustration.

Outside counting centres armed police were deployed in large numbers.


 





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