William Ruto Elected As Kenya’s President

Deputy President,   William Samoei Ruto has been elected president of Kenya following Tuesday’s (9 August) elections, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has said.

He polled 7,176,141 representing 50.49% to beat his main contender Raila Odinga who got 6,942,930 (48.85%).

The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by Mr Odinga’s campaign.

Four of the seven members of the electoral commission refused to endorse the result, saying it was “opaque”.

“We cannot take ownership of the result that is going to be announced because of the opaque nature of this last phase of the general election,” said Juliana Cherera, the vice-chairperson of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

 

“We are going to give a comprehensive statement… and again we urge Kenyans to keep calm. There is an open door that people can go to court and the rule of law will prevail,” she said.

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Mr Odinga’s party agent earlier alleged that there were “irregularities” and “mismanagement” in the election.

This was the first time Mr Ruto, 55, had run for president. He has served as deputy president for 10 years, but fell out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Mr Odinga to succeed him.

The electoral commission chairman Wafula Chebukati said he had done his duty despite receiving threats.

“I took an oath of office to serve this country and I have my done my duty in accordance with the constitution and the laws of the land,” he said.

“We have walked the journey of ensuring that Kenyans get a free fair and credible election. It has not been an easy journey – right now two of my commissioners and the CEO are injured.” he added.

In his speech, President-elect Ruto thanked the electoral commission for overseeing the election.

 

Addressing the gathering after the declaration, Ruto said democracy has triumphed.

“Let me also say right at the start that in here and in this election, there are no losers, the people of Kenya have won , because we have raised the political bar,” he said.

“I want to say that the people of Kenya, led by the 14 million who turned out to vote are the biggest winners, the hero of this election is the IEBC, led by Wafula Chebukati,…. I want to congratulate the IEBC for raising the bar,” Ruto added.

 

This was the first time Mr Ruto, 55, had run for president.

He has served as deputy president for 10 years, but fell out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Mr Odinga to succeed him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: BBC