Dr. Ruto invites over 40 African heads of states to his inauguration ceremony

NAIROBI, (GO) - Kenya’s president –elect Dr William Ruto has invited over 40 heads of states to his next weeks’ swearing ceremony.

Those invited included head of state from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa,Uganda and Egypt,

Yowere Museveni who is his close ally within the East Africa Community has confirmed his attendance.

According to local Dailies the invitations are being made to the countries identified by the former Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) AbabuNamwamba, who led as Dr Ruto’s international relations docket at the presidential campaign secretariat.

The Ruto’s team having been assimilated in the transition committee, the team, comprising Maendeleo Chap Chapleader Alfred Mutua, Justin Muturi, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Veronica Maina and Uasin Gishu Woman Representative-elect Gladys Shollei, among others, has taken charge of the swearing-in ceremony.

Both President Museveni and Dr Ruto have had a friendlyrelationship ince the first term of the Jubilee administration.

The Uganda head of state earlier stated on his Twitter handle that  "I rang Mr Ruto to congratulate him on the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to uphold his election as the fifth President of Kenya. I look forward to working with him to strengthen our strategic partnership in advancing the EAC agenda. God bless the people of Kenya."

“It is going to be a big event and between today and tomorrow, we expect those invited to confirm their attendance,” said a member of Dr Ruto’s transition committee who is not authorised to speak to the press.

According to Kimilili MP-elect Didmus Barasa who is Ruto’s political foot soldiers did revealk that: “Our team is finalising on those who have not been invited but what I am aware of is that we are going to have so many foreign dignitaries.”

The president –elect has also extended his invitation to  leaders outside the African continent among them Qatar, whose ambassador Jabor bin Ali Hussein had previously held Dr Ruto at his home in Karen-Nairobi.

Other are the European Union, African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Others are from the United Kingdom, US, China, India and Russia.

In a brief statement yesterday, Dr Ruto revealed that he had a telephone conversation with outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, without revealing when the call happened.

"We discussed the just concluded General Election and the transition as envisaged by our democratic tradition and practice," he said.

GAROWE ONLINE