No Handshake, Call Uhuru, Citizen TV- Ruto's Address After Supreme Court Verdict

President-elect, William Ruto has spoken after the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld his victory in the 2022 general elections held on Tuesday, August 9.

Speaking during his first public address in Karen on Monday, September 5 since the win at the apex court, Ruto was overwhelmed and thanked God for the victory, having gone through difficult situations in the past.

"We are truly grateful to God because we have come on a long journey. As the bible teaches us in Proverbs 20: 7, Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses while we trust in God. The favour of God is what has gotten us here. We will not let you down," he said.

He thanked everyone in his life starting from his wife, Mama Rachel Ruto, who had been praying for her every day and his children for believing in and encouraging him.

"Many of you have suffered because of being my friends. The only crime is because you chose me as a friend. I do not take it for granted," he said.

Supreme Court verdict

Ruto saluted the seven-bench judges of the Supreme Court who performed their duty with utmost fidelity to the constitution. They listened to all parties, considered all issues, applied the law and demonstrated their learning, impartiality and patriotism.

"The court returned its verdict and I welcome it with tremendous humility. I thank the Judiciary, specifically the Supreme Court for staying strong and remaining the shining beacon of constitutionalism and the rule of law even in the most daunting of circumstances,"

"The return of a unanimous decision on all nine issues confirm the fidelity of the IEBC to the law and constitution. I commend the Commission for their noble achievement at regrettable cost to serve the people of Kenya by ensuring that their sovereign will is upheld," Ruto stated.

Ruto Takes Aim At Uhuru

Ruto fired a cheeky salvo at outgoing President, Uhuru Kenyatta after the verdict, confessing that he had not spoken to his boss for months as he still awaits his congratulatory message. He affirmed that he emerged victorious, even if Uhuru had expressed his unwavering support for Raila.

"I know he worked hard in his own way but the people of Kenya made their decision. Remember, I did not give him any conditions to support me, we remain friends as we have been in the context of where we are.

"I have not talked to him in months but shortly I will be making a call to him so that we can have a conversation on the process of transition," he said, adding that he would grant him the same level of respect given to outgoing heads of states.

He also promised to be putting in a call to competitors so that they can begin to contextualize on how they will work together for the people in Kenya. This includes those who will be in the executive and those who will be in the opposition.

"As I committed earlier, I believe in the law, not handshake stories. I believe to a government held to account by a responsible conversation," he affirmed.

He also promised that his administration would honour Raila in a special way if he decides to take a break from politics.

Citizen TV & Inooro TV

Not a befitting speech by Ruto goes by without some cheeky moments that set the country alight. He just happened to mention Royal Media Services (RMS), which owns Citizen TV and a chain of stations, maybe due to his numerous squabbles with the media house for its coverage.

Ruto however assured that RMS would be treated the same way as other media houses in his reign. During the presser, he wondered much to the amazement of journalists whether Citizen TV was in the meeting, which was coincidentally airing the public address throughout.

"We can have the last question and by the way, where are my good friends from Citizen TV?

"I want to promise you that you will be treated equally as other Kenyas. I know sometimes people think that people who fought against us will have a problem as we harbour grudges, but we don't. We shall work together," he promised just as Brenda Wanga from Citizen TV came out to ask her question.

The president-elect also took a swipe at some of the TV station's journalists who have been openly supporting his opponent in the August 9 poll.

"I think it is a fair question. How is my good friend Stephen Letoo doing?," Ruto asked, to which Letoo responded on social media; "I am here my good friend, Mr President."