NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug, 15 – United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate William Ruto was this evening declared President-Elect, in the just concluded presidential elections.
His fierce competitor,Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga emerged second in what many observers said would be a neck and neck race with the winner ultimately expected to be declared in the last minute.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati, Ruto garnered 7,176,141 votes representing 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast nationwide while Odinga garnered, 6,942,930 votes, representing 48.85 per cent of the total votes cast.
On Ruto’s victory, Chebukati said, “He achieved the minimum number of 39 counties at 25 per cent,” he said.
Monday night during an interview with journalists, Ruto revealed that he had a phone conversation with Odinga on what they would each do if either of them was elected president.
“This morning I called my competitor and I had a discussion with him and we agreed whatever the outcome of this election, we should have a conversation,” he said.
Ruto recalled that Odinga had during his campaign trail and even at the Kasarani Sports Complex earlier this year pledged to concede defeat if he fairly lost the elections.
“He had offered in his closing statement in Kasarani that he would be available for a handshake and I said that I would be available for us to have a cup of tea because there are areas we can agree on moving the country forward in the context of those of us who will be running the executive and I am sure my competitor will take up his role as the opposition so that we can see how we can run the country forward,”
Ruto however reiterated his stance that he would not tolerate any discussions beyond the confines of the constitution, saying that he was never a fan of the ‘handshake between Odinga and outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta.
The president-elect said that the ‘arrangement’ confused Kenyans as to who was running government affairs while completely destroying the role of the opposition which is to oversight governing dealing and operations.
Ruto has pledged to represent all Kenyans saying that those that voted for him represent the face of Kenya and that he will form an all-inclusive government that will leave no one behind.
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