William Ruto was declared the winner by a slim margin but his defeated opponent says he plans to challenge the result.
Kenyan President-elect William Ruto has stated that he “will engage” with any potential court challenges to the election results, as the East African country awaits a petition from losing candidate Raila Odinga.
On Wednesday, Ruto, the country’s deputy president, spoke to journalists after meeting with members of his political alliance.
He declared that his administration “will have nothing to do with the blackmail we’ve seen, the threats we’ve seen, the fear sown throughout the country” in the midst of polarizing political views. “We have reclaimed our democratic country,” he declared.
“If there will be court processes, we will engage because we adhere to the rule of law,” the 55-year-old said, without directly addressing Odinga’s plan to challenge his victory.
He declared that his administration “will have nothing to do with the blackmail we’ve seen, the threats we’ve seen, the fear sown throughout the country” in the midst of polarizing political views. “We have reclaimed our democratic country,” he declared.
“If there will be court processes, we will engage because we adhere to the rule of law,” the 55-year-old said, without directly addressing Odinga’s plan to challenge his victory.
Controversy
On Monday, Kenya’s deputy president, William Ruto, was declared the winner of last week’s close election, but the electoral commission publicly split minutes before the announcement.
Four of the seven commissioners appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta last year claimed that the commission chair excluded them from the final steps prior to his declaration.
On Monday, Kenya’s deputy president, William Ruto, was declared the winner of last week’s close election, but the electoral commission publicly split minutes before the announcement.
Four of the seven commissioners appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta last year claimed that the commission chair excluded them from the final steps prior to his declaration.
“Ours is victory deferred, but it’s coming home,” Odinga’s running mate, Martha Karua, told journalists on Wednesday. “We’ll not let you down.”
In a political twist, Kenyatta backed his longtime rival Odinga in this election after falling out with his deputy, Ruto, years ago. Kenyatta has not spoken publicly since he cast his vote last Tuesday.
