Kenya's Ruto sworn in as fifth president

President William Ruto (R) takes the oath of office during the swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 13, 2022. Kenya's newly elected President William Ruto was sworn in as the country's fifth president at a ceremony here on Tuesday. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua)

NAIROBI, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's newly elected President William Ruto was sworn in as the country's fifth president at a ceremony in the capital, Nairobi on Tuesday.

Ruto took the oath of office in a peaceful handover ceremony attended by 20 African leaders including global dignitaries after a tightly contested election.

Ruto, born in 1966, won the August 9 elections, beating veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga narrowly in a presidential election that was later confirmed by the country's Supreme Court.

Uhuru Kenyatta, the outgoing president, handed over instruments of power to Ruto amid tight security in and around the venue.

Kenya's newly elected President William Ruto (R) shakes hands with outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta during the swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 13, 2022. Kenya's newly elected President William Ruto was sworn in as the country's fifth president at a ceremony here on Tuesday. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua)

Kenya's newly elected President William Ruto (R) receives the instruments of power from outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta during the swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 13, 2022. Kenya's newly elected President William Ruto was sworn in as the country's fifth president at a ceremony here on Tuesday. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua)