Nairobi: KenyaPresident of Election Commission declared Vice President William Ruto The winner of the close presidential election on a five-time contender raila odinga, a victory for the man who shook up politics by appealing not to traditional ethnic people but to struggling Kenyans on economic terms. But chaos erupted just before the announcement when the EC vice-chairman and three other commissioners told reporters they could not support the “opaque nature” of the final phase. “We can’t take ownership of the result to be announced,” Vice President Juliana Cherrera Told. Police enforced peace and order amid sloganeering at the announcement site.
The commission broke out suddenly when Odinga’s chief agent said he could not verify the results and charged him with “election crimes” without providing details or evidence. Odinga did not turn up at the venue for the announcement.
Now Kenyans are waiting to see whether Odinga will go to court again to contest the outcome of Tuesday’s peaceful election in a country vital to regional stability. This time backed by a former rival and the outgoing president, it is the last attempt for the 77-year-old longtime opposition figure. Uhuru Kenyattawho had parted ways with his deputy Ruto years earlier.
The commission broke out suddenly when Odinga’s chief agent said he could not verify the results and charged him with “election crimes” without providing details or evidence. Odinga did not turn up at the venue for the announcement.
Now Kenyans are waiting to see whether Odinga will go to court again to contest the outcome of Tuesday’s peaceful election in a country vital to regional stability. This time backed by a former rival and the outgoing president, it is the last attempt for the 77-year-old longtime opposition figure. Uhuru Kenyattawho had parted ways with his deputy Ruto years earlier.