Kenya’s election has been fought and won culminating with the Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declaring the incumbent Vice President William Ruto, 55, winner of the country’s presidential election, despite pockets of protests.
“In accordance with the Constitution and the law, I, chairperson of the IEBC, hereby declare that Ruto William Samoei has been duly elected as the President of the Republic of Kenya under the provision of Article 138 of the Constitution of the Presidential election held on August 9, 2022,” Wafula Chebukati, Chairman of the IEBC, said.
Ruto polled 7,176,141 votes in last Tuesday’s election, representing 50.07 per cent of the total votes cast to beat his rival, Raila Odinga. Ruto secured the minimum 25 per cent of votes in 39 counties.
However, four of the seven members of the electoral commission are contesting the outcome, refusing 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.
“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”, said Juliana Cherera, the Vice-Chairman of IEBC.
Chebukati said he had done his duty despite receiving threats.