Tasks that awaits William Ruto should top court uphold his election victory

President-elect William Ruto with the Executive Director of the World Food Programme David Beasley at his Karen residence on August 20, 2022. [DPPS, Standard] Early this week, the electoral commission chairman made an announcement that broke a long wait for the country. Kenyans had risen early to go to the polls on August 9. It would take a week before Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati declared William Ruto winner of a tight race against his competitor, Azimio la Umoja candidate Raila Odinga. According to Chebukati, Ruto had garnered 7,176,141 votes against Raila's 6,942,930 votes. Raila's team has since rejected Chebukati's pronouncement and is mounting a presidential poll petition at the Supreme Court. Four IEBC commissioners have also dissociated themselves with the chairman's announcement, in a matter that will now be decided by the country's apex court. In the meantime, Ruto has been putting his house in order nominating National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina, and Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Shollei to the transition committee. He has also been wooing members of the Azimio coalition to his fold as he works towards solidifying his numbers in the National Assembly. Those that know Ruto describe him in many ways. To some he is a hands on, unassuming, determined and self-willed leader. But he has also been described as a highly opinionated politician not averse to brushing off alternative opinion. Should the court uphold his win, Ruto will face the challenge of uniting the country given that half of the electorate voted for his opponent. The deputy chairman of the National Council of Elders Maj (Rtd) John Seii describes him as a highly determined person who does not settle for anything less than what he has laid his focus on. "I think he is a go-getter with a deep conviction of getting whatever he focuses on. When he says this is the way to go, he would go the whole hog," says Seii. He, however, finds the president-elect to be a highly opinionated individual, sometimes brushing off alternative opinions. Some former close confidants like former Agriculture Minister Kipruto Kirwa had also earlier raised similar concerns. In an earlier interview, Kirwa told The Standard that he quit the president- elects UDA secretariat for Raila's Azimio la Umoja because Ruto 'was making unilateral decisions without consulting'. Observers have, however, rated Ruto as a man who has good judgement which came out strongly during the campaign period. "His time management skills are amazing and that is why the Kenya Kwanza team covered so much campaign ground with a very focused approach," says a Kenya Kwanza principle. He recounts how Ruto ensured they moved to areas they had already covered repeatedly, just to ensure their impact was felt. Political analyst Amukoa Anangwe also knows Ruto as a hands on person that takes interest in what he does to the point of 'micro managing the situation.' Prof Anangwe argues that it is a positive trait in the sense that many rulers tend to be lackadaisical, which creates room for other people to abuse allocated tasks. Anangwe was in Cabinet when Ruto was first appointed Assistant minister and is also a scholar of political science. "He hit the pinnacle and became a front runner in the presidential race after acquiring both wealth and power which go together," says Anangwe. Weak link One area that has been cited a weak link in Ruto's armour is the ability to fight corruption, an issue that the Azimio side pushed hard against him during campaigns. But some analysts also argue he could surprise Kenyans by turning out to be the most effective fighter against the vice, should his win be upheld by the Supreme Court. Anangwe describes Ruto as one who thrives in adversity and will therefore not be dissuaded by critics and could instead forge a good working relationship with other political players, including those who lost the elections. Those who have worked closely with Ruto also describe him as a man "who says it as it is" and neither sugar coats nor minces words when responding to issues. "He does not have time for niceties and he will bluntly tell you what he thinks when one engages him in a conversation," says Seii. Ruto, he says also has the ability to disarm you with a charming smile and hearty laughter immediately you enter into his circle, and is quick to offer advice and help when assistance is sought. "I know that his knowledge is not from one source, it comes from different directions and that is why he gets a lot of information," adds Seii. As a supporter of religious groups and churches, the president-elect has forged a strong bond with the groups and has in the past been an ally of faith groups in national issues. Former Assistant Minister Joseph Misoi says Ruto will likely work well with his colleagues in Kenya Kwanza, because he keeps his promises.

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