Ruto: We will accept and respect Supreme Court verdict

Deputy president-elect Rigathi Gachagua, President-elect William Ruto, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, and other Kenya Kwanza leaders during an interdenominational prayer service at Larmudiac High school grounds in Njoro, Nakuru on September 4, 2022.[Kipsang Joseph, Standard] President-elect Dr William Ruto says he will accept and respect the verdict that will be delivered by the Supreme Court judges today on the August 9 presidential election. Ruto spoke in Njoro where he attended a thanksgiving church service accompanied by his Deputy-elect Rigathi Gachagua, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika. "We shall respect the Judiciary and the Supreme Court tomorrow. That is the only we can remain democratic and have all Kenyans equal before the law. We have left the decision to judges," said Ruto. The seven-judge Supreme Court is set to make its ruling on the legitimacy of DP Ruto's election as President after ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga filed a petition against his win. "It is very important even as we begin the journey, that we agree that Kenya will be a country where there is rule of law and respect to institutions set up under our Constitution," said Ruto. Ruto exuded confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold his win after which he shall embark on implementing stalled projects worth half a trillion shillings initiated under the outgoing regime. "After the Supreme Court ruling, we shall immediately bring back to life stalled projects worth about Sh500 billion. They were stopped due to bad politics by some leaders," he said. In an apparent reference to calls for protests by the Azimio La Umoja coalition faction, Ruto reiterated that there was no two way about respecting democracy and the country's laws. "Kenya is governed by laws and nobody should act otherwise. It is the electoral body IEBC which has a constitutional duty to conduct and announce results of elections in Kenya," said Ruto. This was the first visit of the DP to the Rift Valley Region, his political backyard which he lauded for maintaining peace before, during, and after the elections that have poised him for Presidency. "This is the first service am attending in Rift Valley. Many false prophets wanted the region to be chaotic, preached tribalism, and incited communities but residents rejected their tricks," he said. "Nakuru, you have made Kenya proud. You voted for peace across party lines and stood firm to live in harmony. Our plan is to move Kenya forward together and peacefully," he added. He pledged to work with the county governments in a bid to lower the cost of farm inputs saying that this will help in boosting production while lowering the cost of living in the country. "We shall establish more dams for irrigation and livestock farming. We shall give farmers 600 milk coolers and set up industrial cities among them Naivasha to create jobs," he said. He reiterated that Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula will be the Speaker of the national assembly a leader from the Coast region shall be picked as the Senate speaker. Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua lashed at Raila's faction for calling for demonstrations terming it as an indicator that Kenya Kwanza's win shall be upheld by the apex court. "We want Raila and his family to be on the lead of the demonstrations. No other Kenyan should send their children to fight for leaders who are enjoying peace in palatial homes," said Gachagua. He reiterated that once in power, they shall reshuffle senior police officers and provincial administrators whom he accused of yielding to pressure from government operatives to mudsling Ruto. Governor Kihika said that she was confident of the region remaining united regardless of the direction the Supreme Court will take in its judgment today. "We pray that the court renders the right judgment tomorrow. We know that the Court will respect the will of the people. We too must rise above any attempts to divide us," said Kihika. ANC Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi urged Kenyans to maintain peace after the judgment saying that they had endured much in attempts to make them overreact to the political environment. "As we wait in humility, we ask Kenyans to remain calm. Tomorrow will bring an end to those who have been misusing their authority to sustain impunity in government," said Mudavadi. Former Kilifi governor Amason Kingi said that his prayer was for the Supreme Court to make a sound and just judgment adding that the country was used to poll losers calling for protests. "Some people are fond of using protests to get what they want. We are telling them that the decision will be done by judges and not innocent Kenyans whom they want to use," said Kingi. Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana who recently joined Ruto's camp said that the decision to call for street protests was misguided. "I was with them and they should concede defeat. If they won and feel they will win in court, they wouldn't be calling for protests. The decision is in the courtroom not on the streets," said Kibwana. Former Kwale governor Salim Mvurya said that Kenyans will not have time to participate in protests adding that many Kenyans who had not voted for Ruto were now backing him. "Ruto's journey to this election had many challenges and he succeeded. Justice will be served on Monday. If you join politics you must be ready to win or lose. The supreme court will deliver a just judgment," said Mvurya. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro called for calm in the country saying that the interests of millions of Kenyans should not be sacrificed to fit the interests of a few. "Kenya is more important than any leader. Their political ambitions should be secondary to the peace and unity of this country. Kenyans have already moved on," said Ndindi.

Ruto: We will accept and respect Supreme Court verdict

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