Ruto: I will respect Supreme Court verdict

Ruto, whose victory was challenged by Azimio La Umoja One Kenya flag-bearer Raila Odinga, on Sunday said he will welcome Monday’s ruling as it is the duty of every Kenyan – regardless of their status – to respect the rule of law.

“Tomorrow the Supreme Court will give its verdict. We will respect the ruling because there is no Kenyan who is smaller than the other,” he said.

He also exuded confidence that the judges led by Chief Justice Martha Koome will put a stamp of approval on his victory.

Odinga moved to the Supreme Court seeking to invalidate the results which made his competitor Ruto the president-elect.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati on August 15 declared Ruto as the winner of the presidential election after garnering 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast. 

Odinga came in second with 6,942,930 votes, which represents 48.85 per cent of the votes cast.

At the same time, Ruto who was speaking during an interdenominational church service at Larmudiac High School in Njoro, Nakuru County, urged outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure a peaceful transition.

“Let us pray for President Uhuru Kenyatta during this transition period so that peace may prevail in the country and so that we can move forward,” Ruto said.

Ruto's bid to be Kenya's fifth president is now solely in the hands of the Supreme Court, whose judges will render a decision on the validity of the August 9 presidential election results.