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2022-08-16 11:17:09

Kenya election: Ruto wins presidential poll

Online Desk

Kenya election: Ruto wins presidential poll

Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto has been declared the winner of presidential election amid dramatic scenes, reports BBC.

According to the official results, Ruto narrowly beat his rival, Raila Odinga, taking 50.5 per cent of the vote.

Four of the seven members of the electoral commission refused to endorse the result, saying it was "opaque".

Juliana Cherera, the vice-chairperson of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said, "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.”

"We are going to give a comprehensive statement and again we urge people to keep calm," she added.

Mr Odinga's party agent earlier alleged that there were "irregularities" and "mismanagement" in the election.

According to BBC, this was the first time Mr Ruto, 55, had run for president. He has served as deputy president for 10 years, but fell out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Mr Odinga to succeed him.

The 77-year-old former prime minister, who got 48.8 per cent of the vote, was running for president for the fifth time.

Electoral commission chairman Wafula Chebukati said, he had done his duty despite receiving threats.

"We have walked the journey of ensuring that Kenyans get a free, fair and credible election. It has not been an easy journey - right now two of my commissioners and the CEO are injured," he added.

In his speech, President-elect Ruto thanked the electoral commission for overseeing the election.

"It is a wonderful evening all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya. Calling Mr Chebukati a "hero" and dismissing the other commissioners' dissent of his win as "a side show," Ruto added.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan

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