Ruto, 55, gained with 50.49% of the vote in opposition to his rival Raila Odinga’s 48.85%, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) introduced in August.
The announcement of the outcomes then descended into chaos in an in any other case peaceable election course of when 4 members of the electoral fee rejected them, declaring the tallying “opaque.”
Odinga, 77, additionally later disputed the ends in the Supreme Court alleging that hackers had accessed the electoral physique’s web site, deducted his votes and added them to Ruto’s, amongst different claims of irregularities.
His celebration, the Azimio La Umoja (Aspiration to Unite) coalition, claimed it had sufficient proof within the petition to show misconduct by the electoral fee after the August 9 election.
However, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected his claims and determined the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) held a reputable election final month.
“We’re satisfied that the IEBC carried out the verification, tallying and declaration of results in accordance with the constitution,” the ruling says partially.
Chief Justice Martha Koome mentioned the courtroom discovered no proof of tampering of outcomes through hacking and that the “IEBC carried out the verification, tallying, and declaration of results in accordance with the provided constitutional law.”
The courtroom additionally dismissed claims of poll stuffing, voter suppression and Koome mentioned the courtroom had been despatched “on a wild goose chase” investigating among the laundry checklist of grievances introduced by Odinga and his authorized workforce.
Reactions
He later said that he welcomed the confirmation of his win “with super humility,” at a press conference outside his residence on Monday.
Odinga said his team “respect the opinion of the courtroom though we vehemently disagree with their choice right this moment,” in a statement he posted to his Twitter shortly after the court announced the verdict.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Monday issued a statement congratulating Ruto on his win.
“We additionally congratulate the individuals of Kenya on the conclusion of a peaceable electoral course of. We commend Raila Odinga and different candidates for abiding by the Supreme Court ruling. Transparent electoral processes and the peaceable adjudication of disputes are testaments to the power of democratic establishments,” the statement said.
It was Odinga’s fifth time running and his third time challenging his loss in presidential elections through the Supreme Court, having filed a case after the last two elections in 2013 and 2017.
In 2017, the Supreme Court made history when it ordered a re-election, which was boycotted by Odinga who again lost to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta
‘Far-reaching reforms’
Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)– who was at the heart of the allegations of misconduct that Odinga’s legal team put forth– said the IEBC was “lastly vindicated,” in a statement on Monday as well.
But the Supreme court said the commission needed “far-reaching reforms” due to major dysfunction and governance failures.
Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta said he would “oversee a easy transition to the following administration,” in a televised address Monday night.
Security was tight ahead of the court ruling and Kenya’s security forces were on high alert in areas of the country where violence could break out.
