President-elect William Ruto. [File, Standard]

President-elect William Ruto has expressed his confidence in the Judiciary, days before the hearing of the presidential election petition kicks off.

Speaking during a church service at Kanduyi, Bungoma County, Ruto said he had a strong belief that the Supreme Court will make an independent decision in giving its verdict.

"We have confidence in the courts and we will continue to build the independence of our institutions," Ruto told believers at Christ The King Church, in Bungoma town.

"We have made a great statement to the world by remaining peaceful during this process. Bribery, intimidation and blackmail did not win votes on August 9 and neither did it win the IEBC. We also hope it will not win our courts," he added.

The outgoing Deputy President has also expressed his optimism about a fast return to normalcy.

"I am very sure that shortly we will go back to full normalcy, building the nation and fulfilling the commitments we made to our people,"

After the church service, Ruto made stopovers in Bungoma town, where he interacted with his supporters.

IEBC chairman declared William Ruto president-elect two weeks ago, a declaration that has been opposed by Raila Odinga's team.

Odinga came in second in the presidential election. Together with seven others, Odinga has filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking to nullify Ruto's win.