Obama's pledge

Barack Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States of America on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday. Obama became the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States. PHOTO/ REUTERS

What you need to know:

  • President offers fresh start to poor nations and the Muslim world

Barack Obama made history last night when he was sworn in as the first black president of America.

Mr Obama, the son of a Kenyan father and a white mother from Kansas, took the oath of office at 8pm Kenyan time on the steps of the US Capitol, his hand placed on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration in 1861.

In his speech, President Obama said: “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

He promised a new start with the Muslim world “based on mutual interest and mutual respect”.

Mr Obama promised bold, swift action to meet what he called the crisis of two wars and a badly weakened economy.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many,” president Obama said in a prepared text of his inaugural speech. “They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met!”

Mr Obama, a Democrat taking over the presidency from Republican George W. Bush, said the economic crisis buffeting the country was the result of “greed and irresponsibility on the part of some” and promised to keep a watchful eye to ensure that the market does not spin out of control.

“The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act,” he said.

He also vowed to responsibly pull US forces out of Iraq and forge peace in Afghanistan, while pledging to find a new way forward in relations with the Muslim world.

But he warned those who wage terrorism around the world that America’s resolve remained strong.

“We say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.”

Mr Obama’s inauguration as the 44th president caps hopes and dreams of, among others, generations of African-Americans who suffered slavery and then racial segregation that made them second-class citizens.

Kenyans joined the world in celebrating as Mr Obama made history.

Gathering in pubs, restaurants and watching from giant screens erected in public places in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Eldoret, and other major towns, they cheered and ululated as Obama took the oath.

There had been excitement throughout the day as many remained glued to their television sets, following events from Washington.

Owners of hotels, restaurants and bars cashed in with offers to attract patrons to watch the live transmission of the event.

President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka sent congratulatory messages to the new president. President Kibaki said Mr Obama’s inauguration would inspire hope in millions of people around the world.

“Through that journey you have inspired many young and old people, not only in America, but around the world with a strong message of hope. As you commence your first term in office, I am confident that you will succeed in making the United States, and indeed the world, a better place for humanity.”

In his message, Mr Odinga said: “My wish is that President Obama will support democracy, democratic institutions and democratic transfer of power across the world. I hope that President Obama will help strengthen civil society organisations that are involved in efforts to uplift their nations.”

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said the youth should learn from the historic event and set the national agenda for their future.

“The most important thing is to have a dream, dare the dream, and be determined to achieve it. Do not withhold your talents but instead exploit them to the fullest,” said Mr Musyoka.

In Washington, huge crowds of people bundled up against the freezing temperatures, streamed before dawn toward the inauguration site and the national mall, a long grassy park that stretches from the Capitol Building.

More than one million people were expected to fill the mall to be as close as possible to the event and watch it on huge television screens.

Traffic backed up at parking lots at metro rail stops and even at 5am, trains were packed. Some die-hards camped out to be the first through security checkpoints, where crowds quickly built up.

Overnight, the capital buzzed with “Obama-mania,” with well-wishers, many in tuxedos and formal gowns, attending formal balls in a run-up to a bigger round of inaugural bashes on Tuesday.

No president has begun his four-year term in office with as much public confidence — a 78 per cent approval rating in the most recent Gallup poll — and a sharp contrast with outgoing President George W. Bush, whose ratings hit record lows, weighed down by unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the worst economic problems since the Great Depression.
Security

Thousands of security personnel were in place to maintain order and guard against any attempt to disrupt the inauguration.

Much of the city centre was barricaded and shut to private cars.

In his speech, President Obama rallied Americans to an era of responsibility, urging them to join in a spirit of unity to take on difficult issues.

“Government can only do so much,” he told participants in a service project honouring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. “We’re going to have to take responsibility — all of us.”

President Obama in recent days has stressed that Americans should expect even rougher economic times and that his plan to revive the struggling economy will take time to work.