Diamond Platnumz [Instagram]

Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz has saluted Kenyans for conducting peaceful elections that culminated in the announcement of the new president-elect Dr. William Samoei Ruto.

Through his social media account, Diamond called on Kenyans to come together and work as a unit despite their political affiliations.

"Pongezi sana wanaKenya kwa kuhitimisha zoezi la uchaguzi na kumpata rais leo. Sasa hivi tena si Team Ruto, Wajackoyah ama Team Odinga, ni pamoja Team Kenya ili kwa pamoja kuendeleza maendeleo ya Kenya na wanaKenya kwa ujumla."

(Congratulations Kenyans for successfully completing the elections and getting a new President. It is no longer about Team Ruto, Wajackoyah or Team Odinga. This is the time to come together for the noble task of nation-building.)

Diamond was the headline act during Azimio's last rally at Kasarani and he had called on the crowd to vote for Odinga as the fifth president

During his performance, he invited Raila on stage and said the youth have faith in him to lead the country forward.

Diamond Platnumz and Raila Odinga during an Azimio rally at Kasarani. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

"Mzee wangu nakuamini. Vijana wanakuamini sana na wewe ni rais wetu mtarajiwa."

Seems it was not meant to be as IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati on Monday announced Ruto as the president-elect.

While speaking at Bomas of Kenya, which was the national tallying centre for the just concluded polls, Chebukati said Ruto garnered 7,176,141 votes (50.49 per cent) while Odinga got 6,942,930 (48.85 per cent).

He also stated that the IEBC job came with its fair share of challenges but he remained steadfast in his duties as he had to serve the country in accordance with the Constitution.

"Right now two of my commissioners and the CEO are injured and being treated. We have staff who have been profiled and others have been arbitrarily arrested.

"That is why I stand before you today despite intimidation and harassment. I have a duty to serve this country and in accordance with the Constitution," he remarked.

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati presents DP William Ruto with a certificate at Bomas of Kenya. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]