President William Ruto congratulates Lula da Silva for winning Brazil's presidential election

Newly elected Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

President William Ruto has joined other world leaders in congratulating Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for winning Brazil's presidential election.

Taking to his Twitter page on Monday, October 31, Ruto exuded optimism that Kenya and Brazil will continue to uphold close diplomatic ties "for the prosperity of our citizens."

"Congratulations to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on your election victory. Kenya looks forward to closer relations with Brazil for the prosperity of our citizens," he said.

Lula won Brazil's election by a whisker, defeating incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in a closely-fought second-round vote.

Brazil's election authority said Lula, a former union leader who was previously president between 2003 and 2010, secured 50.8 per cent of the vote in Sunday's election compared with 49.2 per cent for Bolsonaro.

The 77-year-old tweeted a photo of his hand touching the Brazilian flag with the word 'democracy' written above in celebration of his victory, marking a stunning comeback for a politician who was jailed on corruption charges that were overturned by the Supreme Court last year.

Lula's inauguration will take place on January 1 2023.