South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit has left Juba for Nairobi, Kenya this afternoon to attend the inauguration of Kenya's newly elected President William Ruto.
The swearing-in ceremony for Mr. Ruto as Kenya's fifth president is set to take place in Nairobi on Tuesday.
In a telephone interview with Radio Tamazuj on Monday afternoon, South Sudan's Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed that President Kiir will travel this afternoon.
"The President is going to Kenya through Ethiopia today to attend the inaugural ceremony of president-elect Ruto of Kenya and they will be back as soon as the function is over and the inauguration is tomorrow," minister Makuei said.
President Kiir will be among 20 heads of state from across Africa, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta to attend the ceremony at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Both the United States of America and China have confirmed dispatching a ‘strong delegation’ for the ceremony that will officially usher in Dr. Ruto’s era as President Kenyatta steps down after serving his maximum two terms.
William Ruto, who has served as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s deputy for ten years, was declared the winner of the August 9, 2022 presidential election after garnering 7.18 million votes (50.49 percent) against his main opponent Raila Odinga’s 6.94 million (48.85 percent).
His main competitor for the country's top job Odinga unsuccessfully challenged Ruto’s win at Kenya’s topmost court, the Supreme Court.
Ruto, 55, will be Kenya’s fifth president after Jomo Kenyatta (1964-1978), Daniel Moi (1978-2002), Mwai Kibaki (2002-2013) and Uhuru Kenyatta (2013-2022). - Radio Tamazuj
