Embassies, High Commissions in Nairobi laud Kenya for peaceful polls

From left: Rachel Ruto, President-elect William Ruto, deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua and his wife Dorcas Rigathi at the Bomas of Kenya. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Russian Embassy in Kenya has congratulated William Ruto on being declared President-elect following the August 9 General Election.

"The Embassy of Russia is looking forward to continuing and further developing comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kenya. We are confident that the friendly relations between our two countries and peoples will be reinvigorated and further strengthened," it said in a statement on Thursday.

Russia joins other embassies in Nairobi lauding the country for a peaceful election and for setting an example to the East Africa region and the African continent by large.

"We commend the people of Kenya for the peace and calm displayed on Election day, the IEBC's organisation of the elections, and the positive roles played by civil society, religious and business leaders, and the security sector."

The statement dated August 17 was issued by Embassies and High Commissions in Nairobi including Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Denmark, and the UK.

Ruto was declared president-elect on Monday by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukati, with 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast against his closest competitor Raila Odinga who got 48.89 per cent.