In Kenya, the Supreme Court confirmed, Monday, September 5, the victory of outgoing Vice-President William Ruto in the presidential election of August 9 before Raila Odinga, a historic figure in Kenyan politics who had denounced fraud.

"This is a unanimous decision. The appeals are hereby dismissed. Accordingly, we declare the first defendant (William Ruto) president-elect," Supreme Court President Martha Koome said.

Under the constitution, William Ruto must be sworn in on September 13.

At the age of 55, he will become the fifth president of Kenya since the country's independence in 1963. 

Both sides have promised in recent days to respect the decision of the highest court, known for its independence.

On August 15, outgoing Vice President William Ruto was declared the winner of one of the tightest polls in Kenyan history, with around 233,000 votes ahead (50.49% against 48.85%) over Raila Odinga, 77 years old.

For Raila Odinga, this decision confirms his fifth defeat in as many candidacies for the presidency. 

Post-election crisis

Raila Odinga, a historic opposition figure supported this year by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta and his powerful party, challenged the results of the last three presidential elections.

In 2017, he obtained the annulment of the election by the Supreme Court, a first in Africa.

He had made this new legal battle "a fight for democracy and good governance" against "corruption cartels".

The vote took place peacefully on 9 August.

But the proclamation of the results had been chaotic, four of the seven members of the electoral commission (IEBC) had dissociated themselves from the results, accusing their leader Wafula Chebukati of having engaged in an "opaque" process. 

The proclamation of the election of William Ruto then triggered scuffles in strongholds of supporters of Raila Odinga.

Election periods in Kenya have repeatedly been sources of violence.

The deadliest, in 2007, left more than 1,100 dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

With AFP

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