The Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto has been declared winner of the country’s close-fought presidential election.
Some commissioners had rejected the results of the just concluded election. They said they could not recognise the results, raising rigging fears in the closely-watched poll in the East African political and economic powerhouse.
The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by members of Mr Odinga’s campaign.
Chairman of the country’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Wafula Chebukati made the declaration on Monday.
According to him, Ruto had won almost 7.18 million votes (50.49 percent) against 6.94 million (48.85 percent) for his rival Raila Odinga in the August 9 vote.
This was the first time Ruto, 55, had run for president.
Before now, he served as deputy president for 10 years, but fell out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Mr Odinga to succeed him.
