Opposition candidate won the presidency, govt’s became opposition leader » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 29 – President William Ruto on Thursday hailed the country’s democracy saying it has come of age following his election as the 5th President. Ruto defeated his closest challenger Raila Odinga who enjoyed the backing of then incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta with whom he fell out with four years ago over political and administrative differences. “That’s the beauty of democracy,” he told a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate, the opposition candidate became the president, and the government candidate became the opposition leader. That’s the beauty of our democracy,” he stated. “In the process, we affirmed the sovereignty of the people of Kenya as the ultimate decision makers as envisaged in the constitution. This is unique because it happens only in Kenya. We should all be proud of our country.” The President acknowledged that the election was, however, closely contested, and pledged to serve all Kenyans, irrespective of who they voted for. “I am grateful that the election was peaceful, and we have transitioned well. The election was closely contested but I am glad we are now moving forward. As I promised earlier, I am ready to serve all Kenyans well and work with all other leaders to take this country forward,” Ruto said The Head of State further pointed out that the entrenched ethnicity in the country was also voted out on the August 9. President Ruto won the August 9^th polls after garnering 7,176,141 (50.49 per cent) votes beating Azimio’s Raila Odinga, who managed 6,942,930 votes (48.85 percent). Odinga, a veteran opposition leader, was making his fifth stab with the backing of the ruling Jubilee Party led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.