United States President Joe Biden has congratulated President-elect William Ruto after the Supreme Court validated his victory in the August 9th presidential election.
Through the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden also lauded the people of Kenya for maintaining peace throughout the electioneering period.
“We congratulate William Ruto on his election as President of Kenya. We also congratulate the people of Kenya on the conclusion of a peaceful electoral process,” Jean-Pierre said during a media briefing at the White House.
He further commended Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga for respecting the apex court’s ruling on the petition challenging Ruto’s win.
“We commend Odinga and other candidates for abiding by the Supreme Court filing; transparent electoral processes and the peaceful adjudication of disputes are testaments to the strength of democratic institutions,” Jean-Pierre added.
Biden reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the long-standing partnership between the US and Kenya “based on a commitment to democracy, security and economic prosperity.”
Ruto, who won the election after garnering 7,176,141 votes (50.49 percent of the total votes cast), will be sworn in on Tuesday alongside Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua.
The government has allocated Sh200 million for the inauguration ceremony that will be held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Assumption of Office of the President Act stipulates that the president-elect and deputy president-elect shall take oaths of office between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm on the identified date. The law mandates the State to declare the day of the swearing-in as a public holiday.
The oath of office is administered by the Registrar of the Judiciary in presence of the Chief Justice.
