The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman and the presidential election returning officer has declared William Ruto as the duly elected fifth president of Kenya.
Chebukati made the announcement after an afternoon of drama and chaos at the Bomas of Kenya which was acting as the National Tallying Centre.
Ruto was accompanied by his wife, Rachel and his running mate and now deputy president-elect, Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking at the Bomas, the president-elect said he would build on outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy.
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“I want to acknowledge my boss the president of the Republic of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta who has worked with me over the last 10 years in various forms,” said Ruto.
“I want to commit to the people of Kenya that I will build on the foundation that president Kenyatta and I put together and take this country to the next level.”
Ruto emerged the winner after garnering 7,176,141 votes, 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast.
His main rival Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition party got 6,942,930 votes, 48 percent of the votes cast.
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Dr Ruto also assured Kenyans that he will work will all, regardless of who they voted for.
“I want to promise all the people of Kenya, regardless of how they voted that this will be their government. I know many are wondering, especially those who have done many things against us, I want to tell them that they have nothing to fear,” Ruto said.
“There is no room for vengeance, there is no room for looking back, we are looking into the future. I am aware that our country is at a stage where we need all hands on deck to move it forward.”
He also assured the people that he will run a transparent government with the opposition.
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“I want to promise that I will run a transparent, open and democratic government and I will work with the opposition to the extent that they provide oversight over my administration,” he said.
Raila was vying for the presidency for the fifth time.
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