The race for Kenya's presidency was tense and strongly contested, but who will be in charge of the continent's biggest economy now that William Ruto has won?As a youngster, Ruto lived on his family's farm in a sleepy community in the Rift Valley and made money by selling chickens from a roadside kiosk. He drew on these roots throughout his presidential campaign, portraying himself as a "hustler" Kenyan who had overcome poverty to enter the nation's political elite.Ruto, who has held the position of vice president since 2013, defeated Raila Odinga, a seasoned politician, in a shock victory.
Since Kenya's independence was proclaimed, the 55-year-old will be the country's fifth president. Additionally, his coalition's party, Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First), has gained the majority of seats in Kenya's Senate, the country's upper house of parliament.Ruto, who has held the position of vice president since 2013, defeated Raila Odinga, a seasoned politician, in a shock victory.
Since Kenya's independence was proclaimed, the 55-year-old will be the country's fifth president. Additionally, his coalition's party, Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First), has gained the majority of seats in Kenya's Senate, the country's upper house of parliament.
Ruto's introduction to politics came through church leadership at the University of Nairobi, where he met and supported former president Daniel Arap Moi during the 1992 elections.
He (Moi) recognized me from the college where I led worship and showed interest in me. In April, Ruto reportedly said, "He introduced me to politics, groomed me, and instilled the ethos of servant leadership in me.
In the 1990s, Ruto, who received a doctorate in plant ecology after majoring in botany and zoology in college, began to concentrate more on politics. He took a chance and entered the 1997 election for the Eldoret North constituency, which he ultimately won. As a result of his ascent through the ranks, he won re-election to the parliament in 2002.After being cleared of corruption charges in 2011, he was convicted at the International Criminal Court in 2013 together with then-President Kenyatta on charges of crimes against humanity for inciting ethnic unrest after the 2007 elections. The charges were later dropped, though.
In his victory address on Monday, Ruto said, "There were forecasts that we wouldn't get here, but… we are here."
The devoutly religious father of six used the occasion to quote Scripture and give thanks to God. Ruto, who chaired the Christian Union during his college years, continued, "I want to confess that I have been prayed into victory.
Ruto refers to his supporters as "hustlers" and himself as the "chief hustler."
He has pledged to abolish the "dynasties," such as the Odinga and Kenyatta families, that have dominated Kenya's political scene since the country's independence. In 1963, Jomo Kenyatta, the father of current President Uhuru Kenyatta, served as the nation's first president. Odinga's father was a previous vice president.
Former prime minister and opposition figure Odinga has attempted to win the presidency five times over the course of 25 years. He has declared that this is his last competition.a bloody conflict
The final struggle between the once-enemies-now-allies-now-foes was a terrible one.
Four out of the seven members of the electoral commission contested chairman Wafula Chebukati's results, calling them "opaque," and the results were delayed for several hours.
Before the results could even be published, Odinga's coalition challenged them, but Ruto was ultimately declared the victor with 50.49% of the vote. In a later statement, Odinga reiterated his position, claiming that his coalition believes that "neither a legally and validly declared winner nor a president-elect" exists.On August 15, 2022, supporters of William Ruto, Kenya's incoming president, celebrate in Eldoret. – Simon Maina/AFP/Getty Photos
Ruto overcame a number of obstacles to become Kenya's top official. He first announced in 2006 that he would run for president, but his party did not nominate him. He announced his candidacy for president once more in 2013. However, he put that desire on hold and teamed up with Kenyatta to create the Jubilee Party, running alongside him on an united ticket.
They won that election and were inaugurated as president and vice president in April 2013 for a five-year tenure.
Ruto lost much of his authority and duties after the two fell out in 2018, however he kept his position as Kenya's deputy president. Instead of supporting him for president, Kenyatta supported Odinga.
Ruto will face pressure to offer solutions to Kenya's urgent economic issues, like as mounting debt, high food and fuel prices, and widespread youth unemployment. His victory has not been a resounding mandate.
According to the most recent preliminary figures from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, many disenchanted voters remained away from the polls with turnout at 64.6% of the registered voters, down from 79.51% in the 2017 elections.
Kenyans, according to analyst Moses Odhiambo, only believed that the two front-runners represented more of the same.
According to Odhiambo, "those among the front runners are trying to strike a balance between what is viewed as continuity and freshness within a continuity."
"Ruto is a member of the present administration and the deputy president. Because of the president's backing for him, there is a sense that Odinga may be the president's extension.
Create an account at CNN.com to receive additional CNN news and newsletters.
[zombify_post]
0 Comments