Deputy President William Ruto has been declared the winner of Kenya’s presidential election by Wafula Chebukati, Chairman of the country’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Ruto was declared the winner garnering 50.49 percent of the vote narrowly beating his rival, Raila Odinga’s 48.85 percent. according to the official results announced by Chebukati.
The announcement comes six days after Kenyans went to the polls, was followed by jubilation from Ruth’s supporters. The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by the main contenders.
Even the electoral commission was divided, four of the seven members of the IEBC 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 Kenya’s electoral commission.
Local media reports quoted Cherera saying, “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.”
The President-elect Ruto, 55, has served as deputy president for the last 10 years, but fell out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Raila Odinga to succeed him.
During his acceptance speech, Ruto thanked the electorate, his team and the electoral commission for overseeing the election, calling them and particularly Chebukati a “hero” of Kenya.
Ruto said he wants to be a president of all, and for the country to focus on the future.
“To those who have done many things against us, I want to tell them there’s nothing to fear. There will be no vengeance. We do not have the luxury to look back,” he said.
The vote was carried out peacefully, with international observers praising the electoral commission for a job well done. The East Africa Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Commonwealth and the African Union (AU)/Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) observer missions in Kenya also praised the National Police Service for their professionalism at the polling stations.
