William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has won Kenya's presidential election, the electoral commission chairman has said. He narrowly beat his rival, Raila Odinga, ...

Mr Odinga’s party agent earlier alleged that there were “irregularities” and “mismanagement” in the election. “We cannot take ownership of the result that is going to be announced because of the opaque nature of this last phase of the general election,” said Juliana Cherera, the vice-chairperson of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Four of the seven members of the electoral commission refused to endorse the announcement, saying the results were “opaque”.

Ruto the current deputy president of the country was declared winner of the election by the electoral commission chairman on Monday. According to the BBC, the ...

Deputy President William Ruto was Monday declared winner of Kenya's hard-fought presidential poll but the announcement was mired in controversy after ...

In a historic first for Africa, the result of the 2017 election was annulled by the Supreme Court after Odinga challenged the outcome. Dozens of people were killed in the chaos that followed the election, with police brutality blamed for the deaths. “I stand before you despite intimidation and harrassment. The winner of the presidential race needed to secure 50 percent plus one vote and at least a quarter of the votes in 24 of Kenya’s 47 counties. But in a shock announcement, IEBC vice chair Juliana Cherera told reporters that she and three of her colleagues could not “take ownership of the result that will be announced,” calling the process “opaque”. Deputy President William Ruto was Monday declared winner of Kenya’s hard-fought presidential poll but the announcement was mired in controversy after several members of the election commission rejected the results.

The Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto has been declared winner of the country's close-fought presidential election. Some commissioners had rejected.

Chairman of the country’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Wafula Chebukati made the declaration on Monday. The Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto has been declared winner of the country’s close-fought presidential election. Some commissioners had rejected the results of the just concluded election.

The head of Kenya's election body on Monday declared Deputy President William Ruto the winner of the country's close-fought presidential election, ...

The head of Kenya’s election body on Monday declared Deputy President William Ruto the winner of the country’s close-fought presidential election, despite several commissioners rejecting the results. The announcement of the long-awaited outcome of Kenya’s presidential vote had earlier been thrown into chaos on Monday after four out of seven election commissioners said they could not recognise the results. “We cannot take ownership of the result that will be announced,” the IEBC vice chair Juliana Cherera told reporters.

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the President-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, on his victory in the just-concluded presidential election. DAILY.

The Nigerian leader also salutes President Uhuru Kenyatta for his statesmanship and exemplary leadership to the people of Kenya in the past nine years and the profound legacies of his administration on infrastructure, education, healthcare reforms and tourism, as well as strong influence and support on regional security. Buhari said Nigeria values Kenya as a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism and violence extremism, buoyed by a long history of friendship, economic and trade ties, and effective collaboration through international organisations such as the African Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth. Reacting, Buhari, in a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President Media and Publicity, also commended the people of Kenya for the peaceful and transparent outcome of the elections, which once again demonstrates that the democratic process, values and principles remain the best way for the people to select their leaders and hold them accountable.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday congratulated the President-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, on his victory in the east African country's general ...

Electoral commission chair declares deputy president winner of tight race as other senior officials disown results.

Now Kenyans must wait to see whether Odinga will again go to court to contest the results of Tuesday’s peaceful election in a country crucial to regional stability. The sudden split in the commission came minutes after Odinga’s chief agent said they could not verify the results and made allegations of “electoral offences” without giving details or evidence. Ruto, the deputy president, had appeared to be leading the longtime opposition leader, Raila Odinga, as Kenyans awaited final results of the election held nearly a week ago.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, congratulated the President-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, on his victory in the General ...

Buhari’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘President Buhari congratulates William Ruto on election as President of Kenya.’ According to the President “Nigeria values Kenya as a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism and violence extremism, buoyed by a long history of friendship, economic and trade ties, and effective collaboration through international organisations such as the African Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth.” The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, congratulated the President-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, on his victory in the General Elections on August 9, 2022.

The elections had been hailed as step forward for Kenyan democracy, with politicians focused on economic issues rather than tribal mobilization.

That meant anyone could tally the votes and check the electoral commission's math. And these elections also began as the most transparent in the country's history. "That is why I stand before you today despite the intimidation and harassment. Kenya is a model of democracy in East Africa, a region where authoritarianism has been ascendant. "We have a constitutional duty to perform," he said. The commission's chairman, Wafula Chebukati, went on stage anyway and chaos ensued.

– William Ruto, Deputy President and President-elect, Republic of Kenya, Monday, August 15, 2022. And thus, it is done: the people of the ...

On Monday, the Interfaith Council of Kenya called on Kenyans and their leaders to maintain the peace. Kenyatta dismisses his Deputy as a “thug” and a “tanga tanga” man; so much pettiness between those two but no one should be under any illusion that one is better than the other. The fear of violence, litigation and acrimony hangs in the air, and the fear also, of what is next for Kenya. The thing to note is that the democratic process in Africa is still a work-in-progress, and many countries on the continent are still learning how to get elections right. Imagine a situation where it takes a whole week to collate election results in Nigeria! I don’t want to imagine what would happen if we were to experience that kind of delay. Ahead of the elections, there were reports of attacks on women politicians and intimidation and gender-based harassment. It is now time to stop the vitriol and personal attacks. The United Nations, the African Union and all voices of reason must begin to prevail on the leaders of Kenya to give peace a chance. Before now, Odinga and his supporters had complained about rigging and mismanagement of the electoral process. And thus, it is done: the people of the Republic of Kenya have elected a new President in the person of the current Deputy President William Samoei Arap Ruto, 55, who, barring any untoward developments, will succeed his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta for whom the constitutional two-term limit of 10 years has come to an end. This was a brazen display of partisanship and rebellion on the part of Cherera and her gang. “We are here this evening to witness this momentous occasion as the people of Kenya restate what is in article one of the constitution of Kenya that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya…I want to thank God for getting us to this point.

In Kenya, the deputy president William Ruto has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election, very narrowly beating his opponent Raila Odinga ...

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic.

The elections had been hailed as step forward for Kenyan democracy, with politicians focused on economic issues rather than tribal mobilization.

That meant anyone could tally the votes and check the electoral commission's math. And these elections also began as the most transparent in the country's history. "That is why I stand before you today despite the intimidation and harassment. Kenya is a model of democracy in East Africa, a region where authoritarianism has been ascendant. "We have a constitutional duty to perform," he said. The commission's chairman, Wafula Chebukati, went on stage anyway and chaos ensued.

“We are here this evening to witness this momentous occasion as the people of Kenya restate what is in article one of the constitution of Kenya that all ...

On Monday, the Interfaith Council of Kenya called on Kenyans and their leaders to maintain the peace. Kenyatta dismisses his Deputy as a “thug” and a “tanga tanga” man; so much pettiness between those two but no one should be under any illusion that one is better than the other. The fear of violence, litigation and acrimony hangs in the air, and the fear also, of what is next for Kenya. Imagine a situation where it takes a whole week to collate election results in Nigeria! I don’t want to imagine what would happen if we were to experience that kind of delay. The thing to note is that the democratic process in Africa is still a work-in-progress, and many countries on the continent are still learning how to get elections right. Ahead of the elections, there were reports of attacks on women politicians and intimidation and gender-based harassment. It is now time to stop the vitriol and personal attacks. The United Nations, the African Union and all voices of reason must begin to prevail on the leaders of Kenya to give peace a chance. Before now, Odinga and his supporters had complained about rigging and mismanagement of the electoral process. And thus, it is done: the people of the Republic of Kenya have elected a new President in the person of the current Deputy President William Samoei Arap Ruto, 55, who, barring any untoward developments, will succeed his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta for whom the constitutional two-term limit of 10 years has come to an end. This was a brazen display of partisanship and rebellion on the part of Cherera and her gang. “We are here this evening to witness this momentous occasion as the people of Kenya restate what is in article one of the constitution of Kenya that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya…I want to thank God for getting us to this point.

Buhari added that Nigeria values Kenya as a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, citing that between both nations lies a long ...

I wish him a successful inauguration and tenure in office, while also looking forward to more fruitful and robust engagements between Nigeria and Kenya.” - Ruto, 55, won 50.5% or 7.1 million of the valid votes cast on August 9, and his main rival Odinga got 48.9% of the votes, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said at a ceremony in the capital Nairobi, on Monday. In his statement, President Buhari said, “I congratulate the President-Elect of Kenya, William Ruto, on his victory in the August 9, 2022, general elections.

It is no longer news that Kenya's Deputy President, William Ruto, was on Monday declared the winner of the country's presidential election after polling ...

The group has leverage over state agencies and the security apparatus, as well as exploited state power to advance commercial interests spread across different areas of the Kenyan economy. As an outsider in Kenya’s political power play, which is dominated by a tiny clique related by family and economic ties and adept at manipulating tribalism to capture the state, Ruto was pushed out by the establishment. After his fallout with his former allies and current administration, Ruto described President Kenyatta and Odinga as the embodiments of dynastic politics and entitlement. It invokes equity, inclusivity, social justice and fair play. In Kenya’s media, including social media, Ruto was looked at as the villain; the bogeyman. The president-elect despite joining the establishment with his own economic interest, was able to rebrand himself as being against the status quo and a personification of the hopes for the poor with his message resonating with a cross spectrum of the marginalised.

Interestingly, the President-elect is the father-in-law to a Nigerian, Dr. Alexander Ezenagu who tied the knot with Ruto's firstborn daughter, June Ruto in ...

He later served as Minister of Agriculture in the Mwai Kibaki administration from 2008 to 2010, and as Minister of Higher Education from April to October 2010. Ruto was an active member of the Christian Union during his time on campus for the undergraduate course. Among the accusations were those of murder, persecution, and home eviction. After the bloody and divisive 2007 elections, his political growth almost ended. Ruto’s victory came on the heels of being able to identify with the unemployed youths referred to as “hustlers”. He was able to sell his political campaign using relatable slogans, which gave him more credibility and popularity among the masses. According to interviews with classmates, neighbors, and friends, Mr. Ruto displayed his ambition from a young age. He was quite intelligent as his answer to math questions usually saved his classmates from being caned. He also sold chicken to make ends meet after high school. From 1998 to 2013, Ruto served as a Member of Parliament (MP). From August to December 2002, he was Minister of Home Affairs in the Daniel Arap Moi administration. Ruto went on to earn an MSc in Plant Ecology, graduating in 2011 and enrolled in a Ph.D. program the following year, and after several setbacks, he completed and was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi on December 21, 2018. He is currently an Assistant Law professor at a university in a Qatar. Ultimately, the Supreme Court declared the action unconstitutional, which helped Mr. Ruto’s campaign.

William Ruto, the next president of Kenya has four years to fix the economy. But that may not be enough time, as there is a multitude of problems to solve.

Although supply chain disruptions and rising oil prices have caused global inflation, it’s not the sole cause for Kenya. The cost of living in Kenya has been surging for at least a decade. Nevertheless, the job of transforming Kenya’s economy is cumbersome but far from impossible. The shopping baskets of most Kenyans have become significantly smaller since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to its anti-graft chief, corruption costs the Kenyan government a third of its budget annually, about 800 billion shillings ($6.8 billion). Solving this problem will not be easy as corruption scandals have been eating into its economy for a long time. Consequently, since much of Kenya’s debt is in foreign currency, the country’s borrowing costs are also rising. Attempts to attract new listings through issuer engagements, the introduction of new investment products and easing listing requirements have failed to attract new companies to the exchange. Debt-servicing costs represent almost 60 per cent of the projected state revenue in the next fiscal year. At the same time, of the 63 firms listed on the NSE, only five firms take most of the attention. Also, foreign investors control up to 60 per cent of activity on the Nairobi stock exchange. A survey by Afrobarometer says nine out of ten Kenyans believe the economy is not doing well. However, while one camp celebrates and the other debates the election results, one thing is certain: Kenya’s next president is resuming a cumbersome job. The pact between Odinga and Kenyatta left Ruto, 55, out in the cold.

The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto was earlier today, Monday, announced as the winner of the 2022 presidential.

He will succeed Uhuru Kenyatta as the fifth president of Kenya since the country’s Independence. He served as the acting president of Kenya, from October 5 to October 8, 2014, when President Uhuru Kenyatta was away at the Hague In 1997, he ran for a seat in the parliament and defeated the incumbent of the seat, Reuben Chesire.

United Democratic Alliance's Yellow flooded the streets of Kenya as the electorate rejoiced at the announcement of William Ruto...

The pair emerged victorious. For over two decades Ruto has been actively involved in politics. Loved by supporters for his youthful energy and his ‘hustling spirit’, the 55-year-old polled 7,176,141 votes ahead of opposition leader Raila Odinga who polled 6,942,93.

Once blamed for election violence, the president-elect is trying to strike a statesmanlike note as victory is disputed.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati said Ruto had won almost 7.18 million votes (50.49 per cent) against 6.94 million ...

He served as the acting President of Kenya between October 5 and 8, 2014 while President Kenyatta was away at the Hague. 6. In January 2006, Ruto announced his intention to vie for the presidency in the 2007 Kenyan general election. Ruto proceeded to obtain a Masters degree in Plant ecology, and graduated in 2011, topping it with a Doctorate degree from the University of Nairobi, and graduating on his birthday, December 21, 2018. He was believed to have learnt about Kenyan politics from there and also accumulated some wealth. 9. In the 2013 presidential election, Ruto was elected the Deputy President alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta and served till 2022. 5. He was made Minister of Home Affairs in 2002 in the country and served for five months.

William Ruto has emerged the winner of a tense and fiercely fought contest for Kenya's presidency, but who is the man who will lead east Africa's largest ...

"Ruto is the deputy president and part of the current government. Again, in 2013, he declared his candidacy for the presidency. In 1997, he took a gamble and ran for the parliamentary seat of the Eldoret North constituency, which he won. He has promised a break from the "dynasties" that have dominated Kenya's political landscape since independence, like the Odingas and Kenyattas. He rose through the ranks and was re-elected as a member of parliament in 2002. The father of six, who is fiercely religious, took the opportunity to recite verses from the Bible and praise God. "He (Moi) identified me from the university where I was a worship leader and took interest in me. Kenyatta didn't back him for the presidency, opting for Odinga instead. He first declared his intention to run for president in 2006, but lost his party's nomination. Odinga's coalition rejected the results before they were even announced, but Ruto was eventually announced winner with 50.49% of the vote. As a boy, Ruto grew up on his family's farm in a quiet village in the Rift Valley, selling chickens from a roadside stall to make money. The 55-year-old will become Kenya's fifth president since the country declared independence.