Russia congratulates President-Elect Ruto

The Russian government has congratulated President-elect William Ruto following his election as Kenya's fifth president.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Russian Embassy in Kenya said it looks forward to "developing comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kenya."

"We are confident that the friendly relations between our two countries and peoples will be reinvigorated and further strengthened," reads the statement.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati declared William Ruto as the winner of the presidential election after garnering 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast.

Azimio coalition candidate Raila Odinga, who has since rejected the results, came in second with 6,942,930 votes.

Russia becomes the latest foreign country to speak on the outcome of the just concluded Kenyan elections.

On Wednesday, in a joint statement, Ambassadors and High Commissioners from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom called on all political parties and political leaders to follow the law in pursuing justice.

The envoys noted the peaceful manner in which the elections were conducted have also commended Kenyans for remaining peaceful during and after the polls. 

The ambassadors and high commissioners also lauded efforts by IEBC in organising the elections and the roles played by security officers, civil society, religious and business leaders in ensuring a smooth process.