William Ruto Declared Kenya's Fifth President

William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza coalition has been declared the fifth president of the republic of Kenya.

The declaration was made by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman, Wafula Chebukati at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 15.

Ruto claimed victory with a total vote count of 7,176,141 (50.49 per cent) against his closest rival, Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja coalition with a total of 6,942,930 (48.85 per cent).

Factsheet showing Deputy President William Ruto's victory. /VIRALTEAKE

"I want to in a very special way say and confess that without God we wouldn’t have been here. My gratitude goes to the people of Kenya, the millions who listened to us and those who turned up to vote for us," he spoke to the nation following the announcement.

He turned to his competitor, Raila Odinga, thanking him for a memorable campaign and offered a promise to work with him.

"I want to thank my worthy competitor, Hon Raila Odinga for a campaign in which we all dwelled on issues and we tried to sell an agenda to the people of Kenya. I want to promise that I will work with all elected leaders," he said.

He further praised Chebukati for the stellar manner in which he conducted the election, despite some few hitches that threatened to disrupt the flow of the process.

"The hero of this election is the IEBC led by Wafula Chebukati. I say this with conviction that the IEBC amazed all of us," he said.

As a result of William Ruto's election, Rigathi Gachagua is the new Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.

Chebukati noted that he would preside over his last-ever election.

"I stand here despite intimidation and harassment. I took an oath of office to serve this country and I have done my duty in accordance with the constitution and the laws of the land," Chebukati said. 

He reported that two commissioners and the CEO, Marjan Hussein, were injured in the Monday, August 15 scuffle at the Bomas of Kenya. 

He added that two other staff are missing and others were arrested arbitrarily. 

World Leaders' Reactions to Ruto's Win

My congratulations William Ruto on your election as the President of the Republic of Kenya. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours ahead and we look forward to working closely with you on common bilateral and regional interests- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

I wish to offer my most sincere congratulations to the President-Elect of Kenya H.E. William Ruto and the people of Kenyan following the successful conclusion of the elections. You truly ran an enriching, overpowering campaign & May God help you fulfil your vision for your country- Somalia's President Mohammed Farmajo.

Congratulations to William Ruto 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- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa