Kenya’s Supreme Court has ruled that William Ruto was properly elected president, dismissing several petitions seeking to annul the result of the 9 August election.
His rival, Raila Odinga, and others had alleged that massive fraud, including tampering with results forms, had taken place.
Mr Ruto garnered 50.5% of the vote in the closely fought election.
The 55-year-old will be sworn in as the country’s fifth president next week.
The eight petitions challenging the elections were all dismissed. The court found some were based on forged documents and “sensational information”, Chief Justice Martha Koome said in a unanimous decision on behalf of the seven judges.
She claimed that there was no convincing proof that “a middle man” had tampered with the electronic voting transmission system.
Ms. Koome added that Mr. Ruto had obtained the required 50% plus one of the vote, as required by the constitution.
The decision puts an end to a drawn-out electoral dispute that began after the polls closed last month.
Four of the seven electoral commissioners rejected the poll results because of their disagreement with the chairman, and Mr. Odinga’s team utilized their opposition to support their position.
The court stated that it was not persuaded by the chairman’s assertions that he was operating a one-man operation in order to sabotage the election, despite highlighting the “dysfunction” of the commission in managing its internal affairs.
“Are we to nullify the outcome of an election on the basis of a last-minute boardroom rupture whose details remain scanty?” the judges asked.
Celebrations have already started in the Rift Valley and other areas of the central region, where Mr. Ruto’s running mate is from.
A somber mood has taken over in Kisumu, Mr. Odinga’s stronghold. Some shops have closed for the day, leaving the streets empty.
In the near future, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who supported Mr. Odinga, is anticipated to address the nation.
