On August 15, 2022, Kenyan President-elect William Ruto delivers a speech at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Bomas of Kenya Tallying Centre in Nairobi after being declared the presidential election winner.
The African Union has welcomed Kenya’s Supreme Court’s decision to uphold William Ruto’s election victory as president-elect.
The Supreme Court’s seven judges unanimously dismissed a petition on Monday challenging Dr Ruto’s victory as announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission three weeks ago.
The African Union also congratulated Dr. Ruto on his victory and his opponent Raila Odinga’s pledge to respect the court’s decision.
“My heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Dr. William Ruto on his election as the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya, following the confirmation of the election results.”
“I also want to commend Raila Odinga’s leadership for upholding the Supreme Court ruling,” said Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), also congratulated Dr. Ruto, saying the end of the electoral season was “a victory for all Kenyans and people of our region.”
His message followed one from Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who expressed hope that Ruto’s presidency would strengthen ties between the two countries.
“Congratulations to Dr. William Samoei Ruto on his election as the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya.” [I] look forward to working with Your Excellency William Ruto to strengthen and enhance historical good relations between our two peoples, based on our shared priorities.”
Ruto was declared the winner by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati with 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 percent of all votes cast. Mr Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition received 6,942,930 votes, accounting for 48 percent of all votes cast. Waihiga Mwaure and George Wajackoya were the other two candidates who shared the remaining one percent of the vote.
Following the declaration, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi congratulated Dr Ruto. Djibouti, Chad, and South Africa
However, Western allies remained silent, praising Kenyans for maintaining peace during and after the election while urging disgruntled parties to use the courts rather than the streets.
Dr. Ruto was congratulated by Vicky Ford, the UK Minister for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, who said she looks forward to “working with to strengthen our strategic partnership.”
“Kenya and its leaders can be proud of the example they have set to the rest of the world by pursuing a democratic process that is calm, peaceful, and transparent.”
Germans praised Kenyan courts for “impressively” handling the petitions.