William Ruto takes the big prize after his three-decade political journey

Looking on was his immediate former boss and outgoing Commander-in-Chief President Uhuru Kenyatta whose body language told of a happy man eager to handover the reins.

Immediately after Uhuru handed over the instruments of power - the Constitution and ceremonial sword - his aide de camp swiftly glided behind him and stood behind the new president. And the power handover was complete. Days of hard campaigns and anxiety were over. Only then did President Ruto take the seat as Head of State.

The mood inside the stadium was jubilant. Supporters donning the yellow, green and black colours of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and carrying miniature national flags filled the stadium terraces and cheered wildly as the new president was sworn into office and received a 21-gun salute.

Thousands had arrived as early as 5am and waited outside. Some overwhelmed police and streamed in. Helmeted security forces kept vigil at all the stadium's entrances.

Instead of volleys of teargas to contain the charged crowd outside, security forces used batons atop horses.

Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, the military band, Maroon Commandos, belted out classics that kept the over 20 invited African heads of states entertained. The thousands in the terraces swayed with the music. Many more followed proceedings outside the stadium.

The heads of state and government had travelled from Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Seychelles, Burundi, Malawi, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, DRC, Congo Brazaville, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Mozambique, Sahrawi, Djibouti and Ethiopia, among others.

Delegations from South Africa, United States, Iran, Nigeria, Egypt, Gambia, and India were also in attendance. Others were the African Union Commission, East African Community (EAC) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

And at exactly 11:45am, the coordinated arrival of President-elect William Ruto, later followed by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta set the stage for transition of power.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua takes the oath of office at Kasarani on September 13, 2022. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

Then there was hoisting of Ruto's yellow standard as Uhuru's was lowered. Ruto's was yellow in colour and bore the image of a wheelbarrow - the icon of his UDA party.

Those in attendance expressed mixed reactions. "The minute you lower the cost of fertiliser for both maize and tea, which are staple Kenyan crops, then you have undoubtedly set the country on an economic recovery path. I'm happy that the president has his priorities right," said Mugo wa Kamau, a farmer.

Leon Gichana was most pleased by Ruto's pledge to establish the Hustler's Fund. He was, however, displeased by Deputy President Gachagua's "combative address".

"I feel that DP Gachagua is yet to transition from the campaign mindset to understanding that he is now in power. He should now stop political attacks," he said.

Mercy Cherono said, "As a nation, we thank Uhuru for the 10 years of leadership. We are however hopeful that Ruto will outperform the former president."