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Ruto is legally in office, let's cease election talks - Natembeya

The Supreme Court confirmed Ruto's victory in the August 9 election.

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by MAUREEN KINYANJUI

News12 February 2023 - 12:59
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In Summary


  • The governor said that Ruto cannot be removed from the seat and that should encourage leaders to work towards supporting the government.
  • Ruto garnered 7.1 million votes, while Raila Odinga garnered 6.9 million votes.
President William Ruto and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in Kitale on January 21, 2023

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya on Sunday called on leaders to cease from August 2022 election talks.

He said that the exercise was overtaken by events and Kenya has a legally sitting President who was declared by IEBC and affirmed by the Supreme Court.

"In this time under President William Ruto let us cease discussing leaders and elections. Elections ended and IEBC declared the winner. which was affirmed by the Supreme Court," Natembeya said.

The governor said that Ruto cannot be removed from the seat and that should encourage leaders to work towards supporting the government.

"Ni jambo gani lingine linaweza kufanyika ambalo litaondoa huyu rais kwa kiti? Tusipoteze mda tukiongea, Rais ako kwa kiti imara," Natembeya said.

This translates to; "What situation can make Ruto be removed from the presidency? Let us not waste time with election talks as Ruto is firmly seated in the presidency seat," he said.

The county boss said President Ruto owed no one any apology or forgiveness for winning the presidential elections.

On August 15, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati declared William Ruto the President-elect after he defeated Raila and two other candidates in the August 9 poll.

Ruto garnered 7.1 million votes, while Raila Odinga garnered 6.9 million votes.

However, Raila Odinga rejected the results terming them "null and void" and promised a bruising battle at the Supreme Court.

He filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging  Ruto’s win but the petition was dismissed.

The Supreme Court confirmed Ruto's victory in the August 9 election.

Reading the verdict of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Martha Koome said Ruto garnered 50 per cent plus one vote cast required for one to be announced the winner. 

Raila Odinga who was Azimio's Presidential candidate said last month that the possibility of death and bloodshed from post-election violence and fear of International Criminal Court (ICC) charges compelled him to accept Ruto’s disputed win.

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