Ruto, Kindiki Depart To Zambia For President Hichilema’s Inauguration, Opposition Charged With Treason

Ruto, Kindiki Depart To Zambia For President Hichilema’s Inauguration, Opposition Charged With Treason

President William Ruto has travelled to Lusaka, Zambia, to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Hakainde Hichilema for his second five-year term. 

The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka where Hichilema is set to take the oath of office. 

Ruto’s visit places him among regional leaders attending the inauguration after the Zambian President secured re-election in the August 13 general elections.

The President had earlier congratulated Hichilema following the election outcome, highlighting the longstanding relations between Kenya and Zambia.

“Dear Brother, I look forward to continuing to work closely with you to further solidify and broaden the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations,” Ruto wrote in his official message.

Images taken shortly before President William Ruto’s departure from Kenya show him receiving a send-off overseen by military personnel and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki accompanying him.

The inauguration comes days after Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile, as well as 17 other people, including his running mate Makebi Zulu, were charged with treason following an arrest on August 27 amid tensions over the country’s presidential election.

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Mundubile had disputed the election results that gave Hichilema a second term, while authorities accused his party of planning an armed insurgency, a claim the party denied.

Events surrounding the elections were further marked by the arrest of a 56-year-old Kenyan national accused of being contracted to carry out cybercrimes targeting the Zambian state.

The Kenyan was reportedly among several suspects detained by security agencies over an alleged attempt to interfere with the country’s electoral system, as authorities stepped up operations ahead of the election.

Reports indicate that the Zambia Police Service has heightened security operations in the city ahead of the ceremony as well.

Ruto’s previous visit to Zambia was in June 2023, when he travelled to Lusaka to attend the 22nd Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit. 

It was his first COMESA summit as President, where he proposed a single African currency to facilitate cross-border trade and strengthen regional economic integration.

Ruto, Kindiki Depart To Zambia For President Hichilema’s Inauguration, Opposition Charged With Treason