NAIROBI, December 30 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - EU and Commonwealth leaders Monday, December 30, hailed the peaceful transition of power in Kenya, as Kenya's new leader Mwai Kibaki said his administration will not engage in a witch-hunt against the party that ruled the country since its independence in 1963.

Kibaki, 71, was sworn in Monday as Kenya's third president since independence from Britain in 1963, with more than one million people thronging one of Nairobi's main parks to witness the ceremony, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish President Kibaki and his new team the very best as they face the challenges ahead and to assure them of the Commonwealths support," Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said in a statement issued in London.

The European Union's Danish presidency Monday congratulated Kibaki and applauded "the electoral commission, the authorities and the people of Kenya for the peaceful and fair manner" in which the polls unfolded.

"These elections represent an important step forward towards reinforcing democracy and along the path of reform which will ensure economic growth and a reduction in poverty," it said in a statement released in Copenhagen.

McKinnon also praised Kenyan voters for their "commitment to democracy", saying it would be a "decisive factor in taking the country forward under its new leadership."

Kibaki, who won some two-thirds of the popular vote in Friday's election, succeeded Moi, the leader of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) who had ruled the east African country since 1978.

Moi's chosen successor, KANU candidate Uhuru Kenyatta - the son of the country's first president Jomo Kenyatta - only managed to garner about 24 percent of the vote.

McKinnon paid tribute to Moi, saying: "I thank him for his contribution to the Commonwealth and congratulate him on the example he has set in presiding over a peaceful and democratic transition in Kenya."

The secretary-general of the Commonwealth, of which Kenya is a member, also noted that the head of the organization's team of observers was "impressed" with how the election was carried out.

An EU monitoring team in the country had already declared Friday's elections were "free and fair".

In Paris, French foreign ministry spokesman Francois Rivasseau congratulated Kibaki on his historic win, joining world leaders in praising Kenyan authorities for maintaining public order during the poll.

Elsewhere, opposition leaders in Zambia said they would take inspiration from Kibaki's win to form a united front in a bid to unseat the country's ruling party, which has held power since 1991.

"We have learnt great lessons from the Kenyan elections," Ben Mwila, leader of the Zambia Republican Party (ZRP), told AFP in the capital Lusaka.

Former colonial power Britain has already said it looks forward to working closely with Kenya's new leaders, but the British press remained skeptical as to whether Kibaki would actually usher in an era of change.

"Dawn of a new era in Africa? Don't hold your breath," headlined Britain's conservative Daily Telegraph Monday.

Straight Down to Work

Meanwhile, Kibaki, wasted no time with celebrating and got to work in the State House immediately after being sworn in, one of his aides told AFP.

"He went there just after the ceremony" said the aide, who asked not to be named.

Moi made his final trip to the State House at the same time, before leaving by helicopter.

Kibaki then hosted a lunch for newly elected members of parliament from his National Rainbow Coalition alliance, which routed Moi's Kenya African National Union in Friday's general elections.

Close associates and members of the diplomatic corps, about 300 people in all, attended the lunch, when the new president gave an off-the-cuff speech about his plans for Kenya, the aide said.

Kibaki then got down to work preparing his cabinet, which he is expected to name over the next few days, the aide said, adding that Kibaki, like Moi, would not actually take up residence in the State House.

In his inaugural speech in central Nairobi, Kibaki said, "Our task will be to advance Kenya's interests and ensure they are well served," according to the BBC news online.

Promising sweeping reforms, free primary education, better healthcare, a stronger economy, as well as ending corruption, he said there were enormous challenges ahead and he called on all Kenyans to help rebuild their nation.

"I promise not to let you down," he told the huge crowd. "I will be your servant in all humility and gratitude."

The first head of state to come from the ranks of the opposition did not mince his words when he referred to years of "misrule and ineptitude" by his predecessor, Moi.

Kibaki declared: "Corruption will now cease to be a way of life in Kenya.