KENYAN PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO IS SWORN IN

Following his narrow election victory last month, tens of thousands of people cheered as William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya's president at a ceremony in the capital Nairobi.

The 55-year-old swore to preserve and protect the country's constitution with his hand on a Bible. Raila Odinga, the defeated candidate, did not attend, citing "serious concerns" about his opponent's victory.

Mr Ruto received 50.5% of the vote, while Mr Odinga received 48.8%.

Mr Odinga has claimed that the outcome was rigged, but the election was declared free and fair by the Supreme Court.

At least eight people were reported to have been injured in a crush as they jostled to get into the stadium to see Mr Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua sworn in.

Inside the stadium, however, the crowd was upbeat, with frequent cheering, waving the Kenyan flag, and pockets of groups proudly wearing yellow - the color associated with Mr Ruto's campaign.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has stepped down at the end of his two-term mandate.

Mr Kenyatta supported Mr Odinga in the election, claiming that Mr Ruto was unfit to be president.

It caused a schism between the two men, and Mr Kenyatta congratulated Mr Ruto on his victory only a day before his inauguration.

Mr Kenyatta pledged to ensure a peaceful transition and urged the new president to serve all Kenyans.

In a statement, Mr Odinga said he had received a call from Mr Ruto inviting him to the inauguration, but that he would not attend as he was abroad and he did not believe the election was free and fair.

This is despite the fact that the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment, confirming Mr Ruto's victory and dismissing Mr Odinga's concerns that the election was marred by widespread irregularities.

Mr Ruto won after portraying himself as a "hustler" who was challenging an attempt by two dynasties - the Odingas and Kenyattas - to hang on to power.

He promised a "bottoms-up" approach to the economy to tackle the high unemployment rate among young people, and to improve the lives of those less well off.