Presidential in Kenya: William Ruto declared winner of the election amid scenes of chaos

The chairman of the Electoral Commission of Kenya on Monday declared William Ruto the winner of the presidential election against Raila Odinga, after six days of waiting and the rejection of the results by one party of this independent body. Scenes of chaos and great confusion at the announcement of the results. The chairman of the Kenya Electoral Commission declared William Ruto the winner of the presidential election on Monday August 15 against Raila Odinga, after six days of waiting and the rejection of the results by part of this independent body. Wafula Chebukati announced that incumbent Vice-President Ruto had amassed more than 7.17 million votes, or 50.49% of the vote, against 6.94 million, or 48.85% for Mr Odinga, winning one of the tightest elections in the world. history of the country. Four of the seven members of the Electoral Commission of Kenya also rejected Monday, August 15 the upcoming results of the presidential election, announced at a press conference the vice-president of this independent body submitted under intense pressure after six days of waiting. “Because of the opaque nature of the process (…) we cannot take responsibility for the results that are going to be announced,” said Vice-President Juliana Cherera, surrounded by three other commissioners, calling on Kenyans to “calm”. . “People can go to court and for this reason we are calling on Kenyans to be peaceful because the rule of law will prevail,” she added as tension mounted and scuffles broke out in the center where the Commission ( IEBC) manages the results. Fight at the electoral commission it’s total chaos. Members of the Azimio party involved opposed the speech of the head of the commission. #kenya #election— Bastien Renouil (@bastien_rnl) August 15, 2022 A region plagued by violence Midday Monday, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEBC) national counting center, on which the eyes of the whole country are riveted, filled with party representatives, observers and diplomats. The commission invited the press at 3:00 p.m. (local time, 12:00 GMT) for the announcement of the presidential results , outgoing vice-president led Monday morning with just over 51% of the vote, against around 48% for Raila Odinga, veteran of the opposition now supported by power. Kenya is a democratic anchor in a troubled East African region, but it has experienced several phases of post-election violence, sometimes very deadly, notably in 2007-2008 (more than 1,100 dead, hundreds of thousands of displaced). The results of all the presidential elections have also been contested there since 2002, in the street or in court. With AFP