William Ruto wins Kenya election amid drama

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William Ruto wins Kenya election amid drama

6:43 CAT | 15 Aug 2022

File photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters

The announcement was marred by scuffles, allegations of vote-rigging and a divided electoral commission.

Deputy President William Ruto has been declared the winner of Kenya’s presidential election amid dramatic scenes.

He narrowly beat his rival, Raila Odinga, taking 50.5% of the vote, according to the official results.

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.

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 77-year-old former prime minister was running for president for the fifth time.

Mr Ruto called Mr Chebukati, the head of the electoral commission, a “hero”

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

“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 said.

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

“It is a wonderful evening… all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya,” Mr Ruto said, calling Mr Chebukati a “hero”.

Mr Ruto said he wanted 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 added.

Celebrations have broken out in several parts of the country including in Mr Ruto’s strongholds of the Rift Valley, and that of his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, in the Central region.

Supporters of Mr Odinga have staged small protests in the western city of Kisumu and some parts of Nairobi.

4 of the @IEBCKenya commissioners have broken ranks with their colleagues effectively saying that they don’t associate themselves with the election result due to be announced by the @IEBCKenya chairman Wafula Chebukati.

The chairman is about to announce the result now. pic.twitter.com/CRoEIzKOPO

— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) August 15, 2022

BREAKING: IEBC declares William Ruto Kenya’s fifth president

“In accordance with the constitution and the law I, Wafula Chebukati, Chairperson of the IEBC hereby declare that Ruto William Samoei has been duly elected as the President of the Republic of Kenya”#KenyasChoice2022 pic.twitter.com/7ExVXY6aOj

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 15, 2022