As East Africa’s most stable democracy awaits what is sure to be a petition from defeated candidate Raila Odinga, the newly elected president of Kenya, William Ruto, declares that if there is a judicial challenge to the election results, “we would engage in those.” It is unclear on what grounds Odinga would contest the outcomes of an election that has been universally praised by Kenyans and observers as being more peaceful and transparent than ever. He has asked his frequently fervent supporters to maintain their composure.
After meeting with members of his political alliance, Ruto gave a press conference. In the face of opposing political ideologies, he vowed that his administration “would have nothing to do with the blackmail we have seen, the threats we have seen, and the terror spread throughout the country.” He declared, “We are getting our democratic country back.”
Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto, was pronounced the victor of the closely contested election last week on Monday, but the electoral commission officially divided minutes beforehand. Four of the seven commissioners, who were chosen by President Uhuru Kenyatta last year and appointed to their positions, claimed that the commission chair omitted them from the penultimate stages before making his announcement. Since then, Raila Odinga has declared the results “null and void,” promising to contest them.
As East Africa’s most stable democracy awaits what is sure to be a petition from defeated candidate Raila Odinga, the newly elected president of Kenya, William Ruto, declares that if there is a judicial challenge to the election results, “we would engage in those.” It is unclear on what grounds Odinga would contest the outcomes of an election that has been universally praised by Kenyans and observers as being more peaceful and transparent than ever. He has asked his frequently fervent supporters to maintain their composure.
According to Odinga’s running mate, Martha Karua, “Ours is a victory postponed, but it’s coming home,” she told reporters on Wednesday. We won’t fail you, we promise. Opposition leader Odinga, who is running for president for the fifth time, has stated that his team will use “all constitutional and legal means” to contest the election results. He had a private meeting with his group on Wednesday. After Monday’s declaration, they have seven days to submit a petition with the Supreme Court, which will then have 14 days to provide a decision.
