DP William Ruto calls for patience, peace

UDA Presidential candidate William Ruto during a church service on the last Sunday ahead of the 2022 General Elections at Jesus Teaching Ministry (JTM) Church, Donholm. August 7, 2022. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to be patient and peaceful as they wait for presidential results to be announced.

He spoke during a church service which streamed live on his Facebook page. The service held at his Karen residence was presided over by the Rev. Davis Kisotu of Redeemed Gospel Church in Narok town.

The service was also attended by Ruto's mother Sarah Cheruiyot, running mate Rigathi Gachagua and other Kenya Kwanza leaders including outgoing Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua.

Speaking during the service, Ruto said just as Kenyans voted peacefully, they should also wait patiently as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) concludes its work of verifying results at the Bomas of Kenya.

''I want to thank all Kenyans, I think over 14 million, who went to vote early to get our new leaders for the next five years. This is the first Sunday since we went into elections. I also want to congratulate all leaders who were elected in all parties. The word of God reminds us in Proverbs 16:33 that voting is done to know what will come next but the final decision is from God. So, much as we all went to vote, the final decision is God's," said Ruto.

He requested all Kenyans to be patient with the verification process and pray for IEBC to be able to complete the exercise.

''We have voted peacefully and gone through this process peacefully and it's my prayer that we end this process peacefully. The Bible says the end of something is better than the beginning and we pray to God to be so. I urge all Kenyans across the country to be patient and persevere to give IEBC time to perform its mandate. As we have done this election peacefully and in agreement, let us also finish the same way so that we continue ahead as a nation as we celebrate our citizenship as Kenyans," he added.

Ruto said he is happy that he is surrounded by prayer warriors, including his wife Rachel Ruto, and his pastor, a sister Elizabeth, among others.

"I have no place to hide and those who feel angered seeing me busy with things of God will have to forgive me," said Ruto.

His wife Racheal on her part thanked Gachagua's wife Pastor Dorcas for standing in prayer for the nation and also organising pastors to pray for the nation.

She spoke figuratively saying as a country, they are in the final push for the child to come just like it happens at birth.

"I have been saying our child was born on August 9 but this child has not been discharged from the hospital. I don't know what has affected her, whether it is fever or jaundice, but we shall pray until the child comes out of the hospital,'' said Rachel.

She said just like the biblical story of two women who were claiming for one child in the Bible before King David, she said they are praying that the child (victory) will not be exchanged for the one who does not deserve the victory.

[email protected]