Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has commended Botswana for holding a peaceful election that saw the incumbent, Mokgweetsi Masasi, defeated.

Kindiki, representing President William Ruto, is in the Southern African nation for President Duma Boko’s inauguration.

“Kenya salutes and commends the people of Botswana for exercising their civic and constitutional rights in the just concluded elections in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility,” Kithure said.

The DP added that Kenya and Botswana will continue with their cordial relationship, which cuts across different sectors.

“Kenya and Botswana continue to enjoy fraternal relations in diverse fields, among them, trade, security, education, agriculture, and energy, for the benefit of the people of the two nations.

“Honoured to represent President William Ruto during the inauguration ceremony of His Excellency Duma Gideon Boko as the 6th President of the Republic of Botswana,” he added.

Transition

Boko, through his umbrella for Democratic Change, defeated the Botswana Democratic Party, which had been in power since independence in 1966.

This was seen by analysts as a transition that marked a political earthquake in the diamond-rich southern African nation.

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has been in power since independence in 1966, performed dismally in the elections as the voters chose the opposition party led by Boko, a human rights lawyer.

Boko founded the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) party in 2012, and his inauguration, attended by various delegates from across the world, is being held in the country’s capital, Gaborone.