William Ruto wins Kenyan Elections
…….He pledges ‘open government ‘
William Ruto who was the Deputy president of Kenya has won the Presidential Elections after amassing 50.49% of the total votes narrowly beating veteran politician Raila Odinga, who took 48.85% in last week’s ballot.
The Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Walufa Chebukati declared Ruto the winner saying the 55 year old got 7,176,141 votes while Raila Odinga amassed 6,942,830 votes.
Making the announcement, Chebukati said he had faced resistance to announce the winners as he was being intimidated and harassed.
“I took an oath of office to serve this country and I have done my duty in accordance to the constitution and the laws of the land,” said Chebukati.
The President-elect has, therefore, pledged a ‘open government’ saying the government will be run with transparency and accountability.
“I want to promise all the Kenyans-whichever way they voted- that this will be their government. I will run a transparent, open and Democratic government,” said Ruto.
He further praised the IEBC saying they had raised the bar.
“The people of Kenya have raised the bar on us, not to sell our ethnicities, but to sell our programme. The IRBC amazed all of us…. I want to congratulate the IEBC for raising the bar. Wafula Chebukati is our hero,” added Ruto.
Meanwhile, three other electoral commissioners held a press before the announcement saying they would not endorse the results of the elections.
“We cannot take ownership of the results that are going to be announced because of the opaque nature of this last phase of the general election, ” said Julian Cherera, one of the commissioners who happens to be the vice Chairperson of the IEBC.
Odinga’s running mate, Martha Karua has hinted the legal appeal challenging the election results.
“It is not over until it is over,” tweeted Karua.
The President-Elect reacted to the claim by saying that there is no room for vengeance.
“I want to tell them [opponents] that they have nothing to fear – there is no room for vengeance. I am acutely aware that our country is at a stage where we need all hands on deck to move it forward.
“We do not have the luxury to look back. We do not have the luxury to point fingers. We do not have the luxury to apportion blame. We must… work together for a functioning, democratic, prosperous Kenya.”
Under Kenyan law, Presidential candidates have seven days in which to lodge an appeal.
