New Kenya leader promises reform

In his inaugural speech before huge crowds in central Nairobi, Mr Kibaki said: "Our task will be to advance Kenya's interests and ensure they are well served."

" I promise not to let you down "
Mwai Kibaki
New president

And he promised sweeping reforms - free primary education, better healthcare, a stronger economy - as well as ending corruption.

He said there were enormous challenges ahead and he called on all Kenyans to help rebuild their nation.

"I promise not to let you down," he told the crowd. "I will be your servant in all humility and gratitude."

But the first head of state to come from the ranks of the opposition did not mince his words when he referred to years of "misrule and ineptitude" by his predecessor Daniel arap Moi.

Mr Kibaki declared: "Corruption will now cease to be a way of life in Kenya.

"I call upon all those members of my government and public officers accustomed to corrupt practices to know and clearly understand that there will be no sacred cow under my government."

Euphoric mood

Hundreds of thousands attended the inauguration in historic Uhuru Park, witnessed by regional heads of state.

A ramp was built for Mr Kibaki, 71, who is in a wheelchair after a car accident on the campaign trail.

" The people of Kenya have spoken "
Daniel arap Moi
Outgoing president

The BBC's Ishbel Matheson in Nairobi says the mood was euphoric.

At the end of the brief ceremony there was a huge cheer from the crowd.

Mr Moi admitted he had mixed feelings about handing over power, but agreed that "the people of Kenya have spoken".

"You have expressed your democratic right in a mature and peaceful way," he said.

"You are a credit to your country and a demonstration to the world that Africa can manage its own destiny without destruction."

However, the outgoing president was booed and pelted with earth as he made his final speech as head of state.

Overwhelming win

Mr Kibaki is Kenya's third head of state.

He roundly defeated governing Kanu party candidate Uhuru Kenyatta in Friday's poll in which his National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) won a landslide victory.

He was declared the winner on Sunday after the electoral commission said he had an unassailable lead.

The Institute for Education in Democracy - an organisation helping the electoral commission - said Mr Kibaki had won 63% of the vote to 30% for Mr Kenyatta.

The opposition is also reported to have won an overwhelming majority in parliament.

Correspondents say voters appear to have tired of the corruption, poverty and ailing economy that have blighted the lives of many Kenyans over recent years.

The majority can only remember one president - Mr Moi, who was in power from 1978 but was constitutionally obliged to step down.

Commonwealth election observers declared the poll "free, fair, peaceful and transparent".

The international community also praised the election and welcomed Mr Kibaki's victory.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan issued a statement congratulating the new president.

He said the UN would "continue to support the efforts of the new government and people of Kenya to consolidate the democratic process, improve governance and foster economic development."

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "The president-elect has made a commitment to ending corruption.

"This would be good for the Kenyan people and, of course, good for relations with the United States."