Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission this evening declared William Samoei Ruto as the winner of Kenya’s presidential election that took place last week.
The former deputy President in Uhuru’s administration got 7.1 million votes with his opponent Raila getting 6.9 million votes which gave him 50.49% of the valid votes cast compared to 48.85% for Raila.
The tension was palpable as people awaited the announcement of the presidential election results.
“In this election, there are no losers. The people of Kenya have won because we have raised the political bar,” said Ruto.
“There is no room for vengeance…we are looking into the future. We must cross ranks and work together for a democratic Kenya,” he continued.
It’s worth noting that the former prime minister has yet to speak about the results. Raila can go to the Supreme court to contest the results if he decides not to accept the official results.
A fresh election will then be held within 60 days.
If his win is unchallenged in court, William Ruto, 55, will be sworn in later this month.
Celebrations erupted in Karatina and Eldoret after it was declared that he was the President-elect.
However, four IEBC commissioners(Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and Justus Nyang’aya) held a presser with journalists at Serena Hotel, Nairobi to announce that they are not taking ownership of the results alleging that it arrived opaquely.
They urged Kenyans to maintain peace “as the rule of law will prevail”.
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