Protesters clash with police as Kenyan president is sworn in for second term

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta was today sworn in for a second five-year term in front of tens of thousands of supporters.

Several African heads of state gathered at Nairobi’s Kasarani stadium for the ceremony - as police clashed with supporters and protesters outside. A military band serenaded the leaders from Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Zambia and other nations as they arrived at the 60,000-capacity stadium.

Hours before the inauguration, thousands of Kenyatta supporters, many clad in the red and yellow Jubilee party colours and carrying Kenyan flags, filled the stadium benches.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga mocked Mr Kenyatta’s “coronation”.

He boycotted a rerun of the presidential poll last month and claims Mr Kenyatta was not elected legitimately.

As foreign and local dignitaries entered the stadium, the opposition attempted to gather for a “memorial rally”, honouring more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval.

Police fired volleys of teargas and beat the opposition supporters, prompting running battles. Police also fired teargas at Kenyatta supporters who tried to fight their way in to the stadium.

The Supreme Court nullified the first election in August over irregularities.