He said he was overwhelmed by the immense loyalty that Tanzanians showed him and his party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) after electing him with a landslide victory.
Kikwete won 80% of the votes in elections last week. He succeeds President Benjamin Mkapa.
Kikwete said he had no intention of making major changes in his government.
“The fourth phase government will not engage in belittling achievements of past leaders. We are not looking back, we are looking forward. Those who expect remarkable changes in policy and vision are wrong and lost,” he said.
“First was the founder of the nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, then Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi, followed by my beloved brother Benjamin Mkapa. Standing on the shoulders of such great people, why should I, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, not walk straight and confidently?” he asked.
In his litany of thank you messages, Kikwete thanked his party for the loyalty it has accorded him to be the party flag bearer.
He also thanked other CCM members who came forth to contest for the post, noting that they were all fit to take the position and he would need their assistance in his mission to lead the country.
He thanked Mkapa, saying his choice to make him the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for 10 years provided him an opportunity to learn how to govern.
Kikwete said he was now capable and ready to implement the Tanzania foreign policy which he fully participated in drafting and processing into an approved document.
Kikwete reminded the opposition politicians that there was no need to sustain the political fight as the elections were over.
He also urged Tanzanians to continue working together in the fight against poverty. Thirteen African heads of state witnessed his swearing in.