Business came to a standstill in many towns in the North Rift yesterday as residents converged in various spots to watch the inauguration of President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

In Eldoret, Ruto’s hometown, hundreds of residents braved a heavy downpour and converged to watch the event live on a TV screen mounted near Eldoret National Library at the Paradise roundabout.

Others marched on the busy Uganda Road hooting on top of motorcycles causing a heavy traffic snarl-up on the busy road.

“Who would have thought that one day a chicken seller will one day rise to be a president? This has encouraged us the youth a lot that no matter your background, with determination you can be anything in life,” Anthony Wanyonyi, a boda boda operator.

Others thronged restaurants and other entertainment spots to watch the event beamed on television from Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

A spot-check at Ruto’s Sugoi rural home revealed that shops and other business premises were closed for the better part of the day as locals followed event on television. It also emerged that security has been enhanced at Ruto’s home with the elite General Service Unit (GSU) officers and no-one was being allowed to enter the home.

This was also witnessed in other major North Rift towns including Kapsabet, Iten and Kabarnet where locals converged to celebrate the smooth power transition.

Power handover

Residents from the region who spoke to People Daily hailed outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta for being a gentleman by handing over power smoothly to Ruto.

“He has shown that he is indeed a statesman. He has left good legacy as he proceeds to his retirement,” said Nicholas Koros, a resident of Baringo County.

The residents urged President Ruto to accommodate all parts of the country including those who did not vote for him for the country to remain united.

“He should also reach out to his competitors Raila Odinga and Martha Karua for the country to move forward as one,” said Vincent Chirchir,  a youth leader from Uasin-Gishu County.

The residents hoped the incoming president will tackle many problems facing the region including perennial cases of banditry and hunger.

Farmers from the grain basket decried the high cost of production and hoped the new Kenya Kwanza government will fulfil it’s pledge of reducing the prices of fertilizer from the current Sh6,000 to Sh3,000 as promised during the campaign trail.