Earlier on Monday, his rival Raila Odinga’s coalition rejected the results yet to be announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya (IEBC). The national counting center descended into chaos shortly after Odinga’s coalition rejected the results, with fighting breaking out and chairs being thrown at the building. The country’s electoral commission is divided over the country’s election results as four officials disavowed commission chairman Wafula Chebukati’s results, officials said at a separate press conference. IEBC deputy chairman Juliana Cherera was among those who questioned the results. During the campaign, Ruto described himself as “the governor”, citing his humble beginnings as a chicken seller, who rose to the top of Kenyan politics. Analysts had predicted a victory for his opponent Raila Odinga, given his performance in the polls and the government support he enjoyed. But Ruto’s populist “man of the people” approach that rejected political dynasties and played on anti-elite sentiment in the country endeared him to voters. Political analyst Herman Manyora told CNN ahead of the election that “Ruto has excited the youth … almost with a sense of euphoria.” Ruto, a former teacher who holds a doctorate in plant ecology from the University of Nairobi, has pledged to prioritize Kenya’s economy and “uplift ordinary citizens” as president. He will be under pressure to provide solutions to Kenya’s pressing economic problems, including mounting debt, high food and fuel prices and mass youth unemployment. Ruto has a long and varied history in Kenyan politics and was also tried alongside President Kenyatta in 2013 at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity following deadly election violence in 2007. However, the charges were later dropped.
