President-elect Ruto lauded by the US
The United States of America has congratulated President-Elect William Ruto after his win was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
The US also congratulated the people of Kenya on the conclusion of a peaceful electoral process.
Secretary of state Antony Blinken said, “We commend Raila Odinga and other candidates for abiding by the Supreme Court ruling.”
Adding that they look forward to enhancing this partnership with President Ruto and his new government, the US in a statement lauded, “Transparent electoral processes and the peaceful adjudication of disputes and testaments to the strength of democratic institutions.”
Ruto win was affirmed by a seven bench judge led by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Additionally, the CJ noted that the judges had unanimously voted Ruto’s win while dismissing petitions filed and presented by Raila Odinga and 7 others.
Also read: ‘Naomba kazi! I’m ready to serve,’ Justina Wamae tells Ruto
Days after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukati announced Ruto as the President-Elect, Mr Odinga moved to court challenging his win.
The CJ noted, “Petitioners did not table any credible evidence of hacking of IEBC systems. Scrutiny report also did not reveal any breaches.”
Four commissioners led by Juliana Cherera also moved to court saying they disowned Chebukati’s presidential results and would not take ownership of the results.
Holding a surprise press conference at Serena Hotel, in Nairobi moments before the IEBC boss announced the results, the commissioners alleged that the results were arrived at in an opaque manner without giving further details.
However, CJ Koome while giving the ruling said that the commissioners actively participated in the tallying and verification exercise from the beginning until just before the declaration of the final results by the chairperson.
“We note that aside from their 11th-hour walkout, the four commissioners have not placed before this court any document to show that the results of the election were altered.”
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