Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata, was sworn in as president after an upset poll victory that ushered in a smooth handover of power in Africa's biggest copper producer.

Sata, 74, on Friday swept to victory on the back of voters looking for change in a country that has seen its economy grow but who felt the riches from its mines had not made their way to the people or created enough jobs.

Al Jazeera's Gladys Njoroge reporting from Lusaka says that people poured into the streets to rejoice the historic win despite the fact the process was marred by violence due to the results being delayed and talk of vote rigging.