William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth post-independence president after his narrow victory in a bitterly fought but largely peaceful election.
His swearing-in comes just a week after the Supreme Court upheld IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati’s presidential results.
In the results announced by the commission’s chairperson, Ruto won after garnering 7.1 million votes against his closest challenger Raila Odinga who got 6.9 million votes.
In his speech after being sworn in, Kenya’s President William Ruto singled out Chebukati for resisting bribery and intimidation to ensure the people’s will prevailed.
Ruto applauded the electoral commission for withstanding intimidation to deliver what he termed a “free and fair election.”
“Allow me to single out the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for special commendation for the courage to do the right thing under exceptionally challenging circumstances. As an institution, they have set a new standard in public service that is uncompromising, professional, and exemplary, raising the bar of the integrity of our public officials and institutions,” President Ruto said.
In a statement on his official Twitter account, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati thanked President William Ruto for recognising the commission for upholding integrity and accountability in Kenya’s elections.
“On behalf of IEBC and myself, I wish to thank President William Ruto for recognizing IEBC for having raised the bar of integrity and the standard of public service in Kenya. I feel proud to have made my contribution towards strengthening democracy in Kenya,” Chebukati said.
Loved and hated in equal measure, Chebukati has been feted by Ruto as the hero of the August 2022 disputed election that saw four commissioners disown the presidential results at the 11-hour.
Chebukati further extended special thanks to IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan and two Commissioners Abdi Guliye, and Boya Molu, and the entire IEBC staff for withstanding intimidation to deliver a credible 2022 Election.
