Kenya’s deputy President William Ruto has been declared winner of the country’s presidential election.
Kenya’s top election official announced that William Ruto won the presidential election with 50.49% of the vote as against 48.5% secured by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Slow progress by the electoral commission in tallying last week Tuesday’s vote had sparked anxiety in the country as citizens waited long hours and days to know who their next president will be.
Many are hoping the announcement doesn’t spark electoral violence as witnessed in the past disputed elections.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has served his two-term limit, fell out with Ruto after the last election and endorsed Odinga for president.
Odinga was running for president under the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) Alliance, which includes Kenyatta’s Jubilee party.
He is a former cabinet minister and prime minister and this was his fifth attempt at becoming President.
Ruto who headed the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) Alliance, served as a lawmaker and minister for agriculture before becoming deputy president.
In a speech he promised to “will run a transparent, open and democratic government. I want to promise all the people of Kenya – whichever way they voted – that this will be their government.
“I want to tell them [opponents] that they have nothing to fear – there is no room for vengeance. I am acutely aware that our country is at a stage where we need all hands on deck to move it forward,” he added.
His supporters are jubilating across the country.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
