Kenya’s bitterly contested presidential election was finally declared won by Deputy President William Ruto on Monday, August 15, 2022 but the declaration was dogged by controversy after many election commission members disagreed with the outcome.
Ruto received over 7.18 million votes, or 50.49 percent of the vote, on August 9 compared to Raila Odinga’s 6.94 million votes, or 48.85 percent, according to IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.
“I stand before you despite intimidation and harrassment. I have done my duty according to the laws of the land,” Chebukati said.
“In accordance with the law, I… hereby declare that Ruto William Samoei has been duly elected as the president.”
Four out of the seven IEBC commissioners indicated they could not recognise the results just before his declaration, increasing suspicions of cheating in the closely-watched election in the political and economic hub of East Africa.
The vote, according to Ruto, a 55-year-old rags-to-riches businessman, was a struggle between common people and the “dynasties” who had dominated Kenya since its independence from Britain in 1963.
Following the announcement of the results, he promised to cooperate with “all leaders” in Kenya.
“There is no room for vengeance,” Ruto said, adding: “I am acutely aware that our country is at a stage where we need all hands on deck.”
