Electoral Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati (left) and William Ruto (right)
Deputy President William Ruto has been declared the winner of the August 9, 2022 presidential election in Kenya.
Mr Ruto was declared the winner on Monday, August 15, 2022, after days of waiting for the Electoral Commission to announce the results.
Official results showed he narrowly defeated Mr Odinga with 50.5% of the vote.
But Mr Odinga’s camp accused the vote of rigging, sparking chaotic scenes that delayed the official announcement of the results.
At least four of the seven members of the electoral commission refused to confirm the result, saying it was “not transparent”.
“We cannot take responsibility for the result that will be announced due to the opaque nature of the last phase of the general election,” said Juliana Cerrera, vice chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
It came after Mr Odinga’s party agent said the election was marred by “irregularities” and “mismanagement”.
But Electoral Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati announced that he had done his job despite the threats.
According to him, “we have come a long way to ensure that Kenyans get free, fair and credible elections. It was not an easy path – now two of my commissioners and the general director are injured.”
Mr. Ruto, 55, was Kenya’s deputy president for 10 years. He will take over from outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Kenyatta has endorsed former Prime Minister Odinga, 77, as his successor.
But Mr Odinga only got 48.8% of the vote. He ran for president for the fifth time.
In his victory speech, President-elect Ruto thanked the Electoral Commission for monitoring the election.
He described Mr Chebukati as a “hero”, saying: “It is a wonderful evening … all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya.”
