William Ruto was sworn as Kenya’s fifth president on Tuesday, taking the helm a week after the country’s Supreme Court threw out petitions challenging his victory in the August 9 presidential election.

Ruto replaces Uhuru Kenyatta, whom he served as deputy since 2013, and will have to tackle a surge in food and fuel prices, high unemployment and rising public debt used to finance development over the past 10 years under his predecessor.

Ruto took the Oath of Office at 12:44pm. The swearing-in process was led by the Judiciary under Chief Justice Martha Koome and Judiciary Registrar Anne Amadi. Ruto also received the highest award in the country – Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart. His deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, was also sworn in shortly after him.

The swearing-in and inauguration kicked off with the entry of President Uhuru Kenyatta aboard the Commander-in-Chief ceremonial vehicle, after which inspected a full parade mounted by the Kenya Defence Forces under Lt-Col Gilbert Kinanga’s command.

The event was attended by tens of heads of states, and diplomats from across the world. They included Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Tanzania President Samia Suluhu, Rwanda President Paul Kagame, Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Mohammed among others.

In his inaugural speech, Ruto promised to strengthen judiciary independence and announced that he had already appointed six court of appeal judges who were controversially rejected by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, despite being vetted and cleared by parliament and anti-corruption institutions.

The incoming president also undertook to make security agencies financially independent of the executive. He also announced a raft of measures to ensure food security, employment creation and general economic turnaround.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration in his inaugural speech following his swearing-in on Tuesday.

“Today, I want to tell the people of Kenya that you are finally free. Public servants and all people of Kenya you don’t have to fear talking through WhatsApp for fear of being recorded,” he said.

“We will fix this economy and create a good working environment where Kenyans are to work and businessmen are not harassed by KRA,” he added.

• A Tell report