IEBC chairperson, Wafula Chebukati declared Ruto the winner after he garnered 7,176,141 votes against Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga who had 6,942,930 votes.
After the historic announcement, residents from Nyeri, Eldoret, Nakuru and Nandi and other parts of the country took to the streets to celebrate Ruto’s victory.
The mood was, however, pensive In Raila’s perceived strongholds as the former Prime Minister lost his fifth stab at the presidency.
Chebukati’s announcement attracted congratulatory messages from several leaders in the continent including Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, former Somalia President Mohammed Farmajo, and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
In Kenya, Tourism CS Najib Balala and a section of Kenya Kwanza politicians congratulated Ruto.
After being declared president-elect, Ruto assured the country that he would unite the country and create an inclusive government.
“I want to thank my competitor Raila, for a campaign where we tried to sell an agenda to the people of Kenya. I want to promise that I will work with all leaders in Kenya,” Ruto said.
Before the declaration, the choir at the Bomas of Kenya entertained the country while waiting for Chebukati to make the significant announcement.
As President-elect William Ruto and a convoy of cars left his Karen home minutes before 3 PM, his supporters accompanied him all the way to the Bomas of Kenya Nairobi.
At KICC, Azimio La Umoja supporters as well eagerly waited for the presidential election results. The CBD was also deserted as most Kenyans went back homes.
In photos and videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, there was traffic snarl-up on major roads including the Thika Superhighway and Waiyaki Way.
However, a section of Kenyans in Kisumu County decried that business was slow as majority of residents were following the proceedings.
In addition, the residents were in the streets whistling and singing as they awaited the big announcement.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
