Mwai Kibaki

I am inheriting a country which has been badly ravaged by years of misrule and ineptitude. There has been a wide disconnect between the people and the government.

It is our hope that Palestine will soon be welcomed to the community of nations with full - in my opinion - full membership in the United Nations.

We call upon all warring parties in the world to lay down their arms and pursue the path of peace, dialogue, and inclusive resolution of disputes.

It is our belief that nations should embrace dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes instead of rushing to arms, for suffering and bloodshed will ensue.

We encourage the international community to redouble its efforts to support social and economic development in South Sudan for the benefit of the citizens of the new country.

We know from our own history, and that of our neighbors, that where conflicts and disagreements are not resolved peacefully, the suffering and bloodshed that follows and the collapse of economic and social development leads to tragic consequences.

You have asked me to lead this nation out of the present wilderness and malaise on to the promised land, and I shall do so; I shall offer a responsive, transparent, and innovative leadership.

We must unite to build a safe, new Kenya.

The era of roadside decisions, declarations have gone. My government's decisions will be guided by teamwork and consultations.

I am calling upon all of you to come out and fight corruption and agree to support the government in fighting corruption as our first priority.

Our task will be to advance Kenya's interests and ensure they are well served.

Peace is the cornerstone of our development.

I promise not to let you down. I will be your servant with all humility and gratitude.

We wish to firmly demonstrate to the world our determination to eliminate all forms of illegal trade in ivory. Poachers and illegal trades in ivory must know that their days are numbered.

Government will no longer be run on the whims of individuals.

The era of 'anything goes' is gone for ever.

The constitution is the ultimate custodian of social will and its making should be accorded all due diligence.

May hard work, and justice, always cement our bonds of unity that we may get our country back to production.

In the year 2010, Kenya adopted a new constitution. With that constitution, we further secured the human rights and civil liberties of our citizens and entrenched constitutional governance and justice.

Let us reject violence and selfishness which could destroy our country's unity.

We invite all those who have been outside Kenya to come back and join in the rebuilding of our new nation.

Only by addressing the root causes of conflict and disputes can we hope to find lasting peace in a just and equitable world.

Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed.

Our two nations share the important values of democracy and freedom and liberty. My visit to the United States has indeed reinforced this mutual conviction and determination to ensure that our two peoples cherish these values.

My government will respect the will of the people.