President-Elect William Ruto yesterday asked Kenyans to respect the decision that the Supreme Court will make today on whether he was validly elected or not.

Speaking in Njoro, Nakuru county, Ruto, who could be sworn into office by next Monday if his victory is upheld by the top court, said it was vital for all to observe the law once the highly anticipated ruling is given.

Ruto, who is the Deputy President, was declared the winner of the closely contested presidential race on August 15 by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati.

However, his rival, Raila Odinga of Azimio coalition, challenged the decision incourt, accusing the electoral agency of conducting a sham election.

After hearing the case over the past 14 days, the court will today either uphold Ruto’s victory or nullify it.

Nullification has a precedence since five years ago the court dismissed the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta. It cited electoral illegalities and called for fresh polls.

His victory had been contested by Raila, who ended up boycotting the new election claiming lack of trust in the IEBC.

Yesterday, Ruto — who is also the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader — said decisions made by institutions established by the country’s law ought to be respected.

 Rule of law

“This is a country based on the rule of law and no single person will go against the law. We want a country based on rule of law where every citizen, irrespective of size, religion or community, is equal before the law.

He said that as an alliance they will not go against what the court will deliver, adding they had agreed to respect decisions made by lawfully established organs.

“We respected the IEBC. Tomorrow (today) the Supreme Court will make its decision and because this is a country that respects the law, we will respect the Supreme Court’s decision. That’s the only way we can have a country for all Kenyans. There is no small and big Kenya, we are all equal before the law and the Constitution,” he said during an interdenominational prayer service at Larmudiac High School grounds in Njoro. 

He expressed readiness to begin working after the court’s verdict, if it upholds his win, adding that he would embark on reducing farm inputs.

“After Monday, we will start working for all Kenyans; we will collaborate with county governments to reduce the cost of farming. We have already started talking with stakeholders on how to achieve this,” he said. He also promised to restart construction of the multi-billion Itare Dam in Kuresoi that stalled over corruption allegations.

Leaders who accompanied him expressed confidence that the court’s decision would be in their favour. They also dismissed calls for protests by those who will feel aggrieved, saying it was no longer fashionable to go to the streets to fight for politicians.

Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua said they expected a favourable decision, adding that their prayers would be answered. “The God who has been with us over the past four years, when we were oppressed and who was with us on August 9 will be with us,” said Gachagua.

He warned against violent protests, saying those planning such should make sure they led them, together with their families.  

Musalia Mudavadi, who is expected to be the Prime Cabinet Secretary in Ruto’s government, said they were ready to run a government that respects the people. “The decision to be delivered by the court will bring an end to people misusing government positions to advance impunity,” he said.

  Accept defeat

Muungano Party leader Kivutha Kibwana, who recently decamped from Azimio coalition, asked his former colleagues to accept defeat and let Ruto lead the country.

“As Azimio, we should accept we lost,” he said adding: “My prayer for you is you (Ruto) be the best president the country has ever had and one of the best in Africa.”

The thanksgiving prayers were organized by Nakuru governor Susan Kihika, who is one of the five elected women leaders in the county. Others are Senator-Elect Tabitha Karanja, MPs-Elect Charity Kathambi (Njoro), Martha Wangari (Gilgil), Irene Njoki (Bahati) and Jayne Kihara (Naivasha).

Liza Chelule was also re-elected as the county’s Woman Representative.

The seven were yesterday praised for beating the odds to clinch leadership positions. Kihika expressed hope that the apex court would affirm Ruto’s victory, saying they were ready to work with his administration to develop the county.

“We are confident that what the people chose in August will be confirmed by the court,” she said.

Karanja, former chief executive of local brewer Keroche Industries, who registered a landslide victory in the Senate race, requested for a senators’ fund to enable them travel around the county. “That is why a kitty for senators is necessary,” she said.