Deputy President William Samoei Ruto is the fifth democratically elected president of the Republic of Kenya.
Mr Ruto, through the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), beat Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Presidential candidate Raila Amolo Odinga in the hotly contested 2022 Kenya General Elections.
The announcement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at the National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya ended a week-long tallying process that had encountered hitches to the chagrin of the persevering Kenyans.
In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." — Isaiah 12:4 pic.twitter.com/MI7tfxrsji
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 15, 2022
Ruto of Kenya Kwanza won with 7,176,141 million votes (50.49%) against 6,942,930 million (48.85%) for his rival Raila Odinga.
The other contestants in the race, George Wajackoyah of Roots Party and David Mwaure of Agano Party got 61,969 and 31,987 votes, respectively.
However, four commissioners of the IEBC, led by the vice chair Juliana Cherera, commissioners Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and Justus Nyang’aya, alleged that the results were arrived at in an opaque manner.
“We are not at Bomas because we cannot take ownership of the results that are going to be announced,” Ms Cherera said.
Declaration of Results for the Election of President of the Republic of Kenya at the National Tallying Centrehttps://t.co/OzKS6NSfWF#KenyaDecides2022 #GE2022 #KenyanElection2022 pic.twitter.com/WtvR0XVjoc
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) August 15, 2022
In his acceptance speech, the president-elect Mr William Ruto said his government will “run a transparent, open and democratic government. I want to promise all the people of Kenya — whichever way they voted — that this will be their government.”
“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,” he added.
I will work for all Kenyans. We will go out of our way to deliver on our pledges. We will serve all equally. This will be your government; the government of the people of Kenya. pic.twitter.com/kPN9YVcssd
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 15, 2022
“In this election, there are no losers. The people of Kenya have won because we have raised the political bar. The people of Kenya are the biggest winners,” he said
“We dwelled on issues and tried to sell an agenda to the people of Kenya during the campaign.”
“I will run a transparent, open, democratic government, and I will work with the opposition to the extent that they provide oversight over my administration,” he added.
African Leaders Congratulate Ruto
Congratulations to @WilliamsRuto on his election as the next President of Kenya.
I have no doubt he will serve his country, his people and our continent with distinction 🇿🇼🇰🇪
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) August 15, 2022
I wish to offer my most sincere congratulations to President-Elect of Kenya H.E. @WilliamsRuto and the people of Kenyan following the successful conclusion of the elections. You truly ran an enriching, overpowering campaign & May God help you fulfill your vision for your country.
— Mohamed Farmaajo (@M_Farmaajo) August 15, 2022
My congratulations William Ruto @WilliamsRuto, on your election as the President of the Republic of Kenya. I wish you best of luck in your endeavors ahead and we look forward to working closely with you on common bilateral and regional interests.
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) August 15, 2022
Ninapenda kuwapongeza kwa dhati wananchi wa Kenya kwa kushiriki uchaguzi wao mkuu kwa amani na utulivu, ambapo matokeo yake ni Dkt @WilliamsRuto kutangazwa kuwa Rais mteule wa Kenya. Tanzania itaendeleza undugu na ushirikiano wa Kihistoria na Kenya uliodumu miaka na mikaka.
— Samia Suluhu (@SuluhuSamia) August 16, 2022
Our bilateral cooperation will score tremendous achievements and I look forward to working more closely with you.
God bless Kenya. God bless East Africa.Y.K. Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 16, 2022