Ruto Rules Out Handshake With Raila After Winning Presidency

by Mumbi Mutuko on Monday, 15 August 2022 - 7:45 pm

Presidential-elect William Ruto speaking to the press on Monday, August 15, 2022.

Courtesy

Deputy President William Ruto has ruled out entering into a post-election agreement with his Azimio la Umoja One Kenya competitor, Raila Odinga.

Speaking to the media at the Bomas of Kenya minutes after being declared the president-elect on Monday, August 15, Ruto stated that he had made his stand on the handshake clear from the onset.

The president-elect added that he is a believer in a government that is clear of its mandate and one that has no interference from the opposition.

Deputy President-elect William Ruto giving his speech after being declared the winner of the August 9 presidential polls at Bomas of Kenya on August 15, 2022

Kenyans.co.ke

"The people voted for me because they want a government that has checks and balances," Ruto told the press.

He revealed that he had not yet spoken to outgoing President, Uhuru Kenyatta, but was certain that they would have a conversation since he had been declared the president-elect and expected to be sworn in after the transition committee completed the arrangements.

"I haven’t talked to Uhuru Kenyatta, our outgoing President. I am the president-elect and there has to be a transition. In that transition, there will be a conversation," the president-elect stated.

"I am sure at some point this evening or tomorrow we will have a conversation."

Ruto stated that his support base was broad and he had the majority of vote, so he would be representing the people of Kenya and not just the regions which voted for him.

"In the administration President Kenyatta and I established in 2013, we tried to include everyone. The people of Kenya have spoken against negative politics and they have raised the bar on leadership in Kenya," Ruto noted.

"The campaign was about issues and we intend to keep it about that. This administration will be about the people. There will not be any part of Kenya that will be left behind in our administration because we believe in democratic progress."

Ruto was announced the presidential election winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, after garnering 7,176,141 votes. This was 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast.

His closest rival, Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, got 6,942,930 votes, which was 48.88 per cent of the total votes cast.