Four out of seven members of the electoral commission objected that they could not accept the result. Those who remain “are heroes” for the new president
The president of Kenya’s electoral commission, Wafula Chebukati, has appointed William Ruto, the country’s current vice-president, as president. According to the official results released, Ruto received nearly 7.18 million votes (50.49%) in the August 9 vote against his rival Raila Odinga’s 6.94 million (48.85%). But chaos reigns: four out of seven commission members objected that they could not accept the results. “We cannot accept responsibility for the announced outcome,” Juliana Cherera, the commission’s vice-president, told reporters. Clashes and violent demonstrations, and even fires, broke out in several parts of the capital Nairobi. In the area of Kibera, a pile of tires set on fire by the rival’s followers is burning, gathering the discontent of opponents around it.
For his part, the new President Ruto, in his first official speech after the election, declared that “the officials of the electoral commission are heroes”. In view of the divisions in the country, he promised “to work together with all other leaders”: There is no place, he said, “for revenge: our country needs all committed hands”. Now supporters of rival Raila Odinga are gathering outside the capital’s central Hotel Serena to demonstrate against what they call elections “rigged”.
August 15, 2022 (change August 15, 2022 | 17:56)
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