President-elect William Ruto says he hopes the transition process will be smooth as outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta proceeds to retirement.

Speaking at a press conference in Karen Nairobi on Monday, September 5, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader said he will be making a call to the Head of State to begin talks on the process.

He disclosed that he has not talked to the President in months.

“I haven’t talked to Uhuru Kenyatta in months but shortly I will call him so that we can have a conversation on the process of transition. I know he worked hard in his own way but the people of Kenya have made a decision,” Ruto stated.

Uhuru supported Ruto’s Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya main challenger Raila Odinga in the August 9 polls. The Jubilee party duo fell out following the President’s handshake with the long-serving opposition leader.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader also said he will reach out to Raila whom he described as a worthy competitor.

Ruto is set to be sworn in on Tuesday next week following the Supreme Court’s decision that he was validly elected, in a petition filed by Raila.

In a judgement read by Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday, a seven-judge bench unanimously ruled that the presidential election was conducted in line with the country’s constitution.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati had, on August 15, 2022, declared that Ruto, the Kenya Kwanza flagbearer, won the election with 7,176, 141 votes, which is 50.49% of the total votes cast against Raila’s 6, 942, 930 votes (48.85%).