By Peter Ochieng
President William Ruto on Wednesday congratulated President South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa for securing a second term.
Ruto said Ramaphosa’s victory is a testament to the trust and confidence placed in his vision and leadership, by the people of South Africa.
“As you embark on this journey, may wisdom guide your decisions, and may your tenure bring prosperity, unity, and progress to your nation and, by extension, our continent,” Ruto shared.
The President’s congratulatory message was delivered by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, during Ramaphosa’s inauguration in Pretoria, South Africa.
President Ruto said that Kenya and South Africa enjoy strong relations founded on shared values.
He said Kenya is committed to continuing to work closely with South Africa, so as to solidify and broaden the prospects of relations and bonds of friendship between the two nations.
Speaking during the inauguration, Ramaphosa said South Africa has begun a new era.
BBC reports that he remains in office even though his party, the African National Congress (ANC), failed to secure a majority in parliament during last month’s election.
The ANC subsequently made a deal with its long-time rival Democratic Alliance (DA) and other parties to form a coalition government.
“Through the ballots that they have cast, the people of South Africa have made plain their expectation that the leaders of our country should work together,” President Ramaphosa said.
“They have directed their representatives to put aside animosity and dissent, to abandon narrow interests, and to pursue together only that which benefits the nation,” added the 71 year old leader.
Leaders from several African countries among them Nigeria, Angola, Zimbabwe, Congo-Brazzaville, and Eswatini gathered in the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre outside the Union Building in Pretoria, for the inauguration.