Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto wins presidential race: electoral body
2022-08-16
Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto and presidential candidate for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Kwanza political coalition reacts after being declared the winner of Kenya's presidential election at the IEBC National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Aug 15, 2022. [Photo/Agencies]
NAIROBI - Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto has won the presidential election, the electoral commission chairman announced on Monday evening.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati said Ruto garnered 7176,141 votes, or 50.49 percent of the total votes cast ahead of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga who garnered about 6942,930 votes, or 48.85 percent of the votes.
The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by Odinga's campaign.
Four of the seven members of the electoral commission were absent at the announcement.
"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 IEBC vice-chairperson.
