Buhari congratulates Ruto, as senior Kenyan election officials disown results of presidential election

Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s President

By Ismaila Chafe, Abuja/Reuters/NAN, Nairobi

Aug. 15, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the President-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, on his victory in the General Elections on Tuesday.

This is as the deputy chairperson of the election commission and three other commissioners disowned the presidential election results.

In a congratulatory message issued by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Monday in Abuja, Buhari also commended the people of Kenya for the peaceful and transparent outcome of the elections.

He said this had again demonstrated that the democratic process, values and principles remain the best way for the people to select their leaders and hold them accountable.

According to him, Nigeria values Kenya as a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He believed that the partnership was buoyed by a long history of friendship, economic and trade ties.

Buhari also said that effective collaboration through international organisations such as the African Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth was responsible for the mutual ties.

While wishing Deputy President, Ruto a successful inauguration and tenure in office, the president said he looked forward to more fruitful and robust engagements between the two countries.

He observed that the two countries shared priorities such as enhancing peace and security on the continent, democracy, and greater economic prosperity and social development.

The Nigerian leader saluted President Kenyatta for his statesmanship and exemplary leadership to the people of Kenya in the past nine years.

He also lauded him for the profound legacies of his administration on infrastructure, education, healthcare reforms and tourism as well as strong influence and support on regional security.

Meanwhile, the planned announcement of the Kenyan presidential election results on Monday descended into chaotic scenes after the deputy chairperson of the election commission and three other commissioners disowned the presidential election results.

“We are not able to take ownership of the results that will be announced,’’ Juliana Cherera, the deputy chairperson of the electoral commission told a media briefing at a different venue from where the announcement was to be made.

Diplomats and international election observers were whisked out of the tallying hall where the chairman of the electoral commission was preparing to announce the presidential results.

Meanwhile, Deputy President, William Ruto, appears to be leading a tight presidential race against opposition leader, Raila Odinga, on Monday as Kenyans awaited final results of the election held nearly a week ago.

However, Kenya has a history of post-poll violence and slow progress by the electoral commission in tallying Tuesday’s vote has fed fears that the election will be disputed, leading to bloody scenes like those that followed presidential polls in 2007 and 2017.