Violent protests in Kenya after the announcement of Ruto’s victory

First modification: 08/16/2022 – 14:54

One week after the elections, William Ruto has been declared the winner over Raila Odinga, a historical figure in the opposition, with 50.49% compared to 48.85%, the head of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEBC) said the day before. in English), Wafula Chebukati.

Ruto, 55, is one of the richest people in the country. She will succeed Uhuru Kenyatta, 60, the son of Kenya’s first post-independence leader, who served two terms and was constitutionally barred from running again.

The result marks another resounding defeat for Odinga, 77, the veteran opposition leader who was trying his luck for the fifth time but has been unsuccessful, despite the support of his former rival Kenyatta.

Members of the Electoral Commission reach the result

Minutes before the IEBC announcement, four of the seven IEBC commissioners, who some analysts say were allied with Kenyatta, rejected the results.

“We cannot take responsibility for the results that are going to be announced because of the opaque nature of the process,” said IEBC Vice President Juliana Cherera.

Odinga accused opponents of stealing the election in 2007, 2013 and 2017, and analysts say he is likely to appeal to the Supreme Court this time.

In Kisumu (west), Odinga’s stronghold, angry supporters of the defeated candidate took to the streets, throwing stones, setting fire to tires and building barricades.

“They tricked us,” said Isaac Onyango, 24. “The government must listen to us. They must do the elections again. Raila Odinga must be president. We will continue to protest until the Supreme Court hears us.”

Since 2002, all elections have been contested in Kenya. In 2017, the Supreme Court annulled the elections after Odinga rejected the results, although Kenyatta ended up winning after the elections were rescheduled.

The police then killed dozens of people in the protests that then broke out.