The White House announced that the United States “congratulates” the new Kenyan President William Ruto on his election and welcomed the “peaceful electoral process” that his country witnessed.
US presidential spokeswoman Karen Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that the United States also welcomes “Raila Odinga and the other candidates’ respect for the decision of the Supreme Court” that confirmed Ruto’s victory in the August 9 presidential election against Odinga.
Ruto, 55, will be sworn in on September 13, becoming Kenya’s fifth president since the country’s independence in 1963.
On August 15, the Independent Election Commission announced the victory of Ruto, the outgoing vice president, by about 233,000 votes (50.49 percent to 48.84 percent) over Odinga (77 years).
On Monday, the US State Department issued a statement congratulating Ruto on his victory, Odinga for “respecting the decision of the Supreme Court”, and “the Kenyan people for achieving a peaceful electoral process.”
Election periods in Kenya have been a frequent source of violence. 2007 was the deadliest year among them, when more than 1,100 people were killed and thousands displaced.
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