President Uhuru causes laughter, excitement at the Farmajo inauguration ceremony in Mogadishu.

MOGADISHU—President Uhuru Kenyatta caused excitement at the ongoing  inauguration ceremony for the new Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo at the highly fortified airport at the capital Mogadishu.

“Somalia hanolato (Long live Somalia),” President Uhuru said at the end of his speech at the ceremony, causing excitement and chatters.Perhaps, it was unexpected of him to say it.

Somalia Hanolato is such a popular slogan in Somalia and it’s meant to evoke nationalism.

Check how the word was widespread during the celebration of Farmajo victory early February.

Uhuru was leading a delegation to the neighbouring Somalia as the country turns a new leaf under a popular president.

The capital remains under security lockdown that has seen Major roads in the city closed, with soldiers patrolling the streets as many residents remain indoors for fear of Shabab attack. The group has threatened on Sunday that they would wage war against the new administration.

Uhuru’s impromptu trip arrival was announced on Wednesday midday by State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu on Twitter.

Regional heads of state and government, especially from troops-contributing countries under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), are also in attendance.

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and delegation from Turkey, Kuwait and Egypt have also arrived.

In a statement by the Press office, President Uhuru Kenyatta commended Somalia for successfully holding a peaceful presidential election, saying it was proof that the Horn of Africa country was heading in the right direction.