UK and US congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto

His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyata (left) with William Ruto the Prime Minister for Republic of Uganda

UK Minister for Africa Rory Stewart has described Tuesday’s inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta as the moment Kenya can move forward after the prolonged electioneering period.

Mr Stewart was in Nairobi for the inauguration and held talks with President Kenyatta after the ceremony.

Mr Stewart passed on a message of congratulations from the UK Prime Minister, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement and invited President Kenyatta to the Commonwealth Summit in London next year. “Today marks the moment where Kenya can move forward after a prolonged, divisive, election period in a new spirit of reconciliation,” Mr Stewart said after his visit.

“I hope that all Kenyans will recognize the need now for national dialogue, and healing.”

To the other side, the US government has congratulated them, pledged to work with Kenya and called for an immediate national dialogue to heal divisions between communities. In a written statement, the US said it looked forward to strengthening and renewing the bilateral partnership with Kenya in the years ahead. The US government also expressed concern over the ongoing political tensions in the country and use of unnecessary force against citizens by security officers.

It urged for national dialogue as part of the process of addressing these tensions.

"We urge Kenyans to join together to hold an immediate, sustained, and open national conversation to heal divisions between communities."We encourage all Kenyans to come together at this critical moment and to work together peacefully and uphold the constitution,” the statement read.