President Wiliam Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta shared a podium during the swearing in ceremony of Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
In a photo, the two Kenyan leaders are seen shaking hands while a video shows them sitting wide apart during the event.
Ruto took to his official X account to congratulate Tshisekedi for his second term.
“Congratulations my brother President Félix Tshisekedi,” said Ruto.
Ruto was among the fifteen heads of state who attended the ceremony.
However, Uhuru attended as the Facilitator of the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Peace Process.
“Kenyatta today joined African Heads of State and Government, local and foreign dignitaries and the people of DRC to witness the inauguration of president-elect Félix Tshisekedi,” read a statement by the Office of the Fourth President.
Ruto’s DRC Promises
President William Ruto promised to work closely with Tshisekedi throughout his second term in office.
Ruto who was in company of the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya and DRC will develop closer ties and ensure peace prevail the region.
“As you embark upon your second term, I wish to assure you and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo of the continued friendship of the Kenyan people. I look forward to working with you to develop closer relations between our countries and foster peace in our region,” said Ruto.
In his address shortly after being sworn-in for a second term in office Tshisekedi promised a more united, stronger, and prosperous Congo.
The colorful event which was held at the Martyr’s Stadium in the capital Kinshasa was attended by more than 15 Presidents mainly from Africa and several foreign representatives, dignitaries and tens of thousands of ecstatic citizens of the DRC.
Also Read: Questions Raised as Uhuru Uses Uganda Airlines Plane on His DRC Trip
Uhuru Denies Congratulating Tshisekedi
Previously Uhuru had denied congratulating Tshisekedi on his reelection as president.
In a statement on December 31,2023 the Office of the 4th President of the Republic of Kenya dismissed news update that was doing rounds within various mainstream and social media platforms as fake.
“The office of the 4th President of the Republic of Kenya and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process would like to disassociate itself from this news update doing rounds within various mainstream and social media platforms,” Uhuru’s office clarified.
Also Read: Govt Breaks Silence Over DRC Diplomatic Row
DRC Elections
Tshisekedi garnered around 72% of the votes during elections held on the 20th of December 2023.
He was followed by businessman Moise Katumbi, who received 18% of the votes, while Martin Fayulu garnered 5%.
At the same time, Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege who is also a physician known for treating women brutalized by sexual violence in eastern Congo, got less than 1%.
The election had more than a 40% turnout with some 18 million people voting.
