Outgoing Kenyan President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta has finally spoken out on Monday’s Supreme Court ruling, and briefed the nation on preparations for a smooth transition from him to his deputy of 10 years, now president-elect William Samoei Ruto.
On September 05, a seven-judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome unanimously dismissed a presidential election petition filed by Raila Odinga Amolo and Martha Karua Wangari.
The apex court of appeal upheld the election of Ruto, a man Kenyatta shunned for long time opposition leader Odinga, as the legally elected fifth President of the Republic of Kenya.
Hours later, President Kenyatta issued a statement commenting on the Supreme Court verdict, and talking transition plans.
But he neither mention Ruto nor congratulated him on his victory.
“When I was sworn in as your president, I made a pledge to the country to uphold the rule of law and the decisions made by the judiciary on all matters appertaining to our governance,” said Kenyatta.
“It is my intention to oversee a smooth transition to the next administration and all the necessary orders to facilitate this process have already been issued.”
He talked of the need to respect the institutions that midwife the country’s leaders. He also urged Kenyans to hold institutions to account.
“Because democracy is a work in progress, I urge the country to respect the institutions that midwife our new leaders. And in doing so I also urge citizens to constantly put them under scrutiny for this is the civic duty of every single Kenyan,” noted the outgoing Kenyan leader.
“We must appreciate these institutions, we must also hold them into account at every juncture and their truth has to be consistent and coherent. This is the only way we will build our democracy.”
But he, in a veiled manner, criticized the Supreme Court for its ruling.
“They [the people] must test them [institutions] for coherence. They must constantly scrutinize the coherence of the truth given by these institutions… Has there been a consistent pattern from one election to another? Is it about numbers or is it about process? Can an institution rule one way in an election and another way in another election without scrutiny?” Kenyatta asked.
Kenyatta also congratulated those who won the elections and wished them well.
“I want to wish well all who have won as they guide our country into the future and I thank you all for the opportunity to serve and I say may God bless you all and may God bless this great republic of Kenya,” he said.
Full video is on below:
Earlier, Raila Odinga responded to the Supreme Court ruling against him, saying he disagrees with the judgement, suggesting it is not yet Uhuru and hinting on his next course of action. (Read Story Here).
READ: Why William Ruto Election Was Upheld by Kenya’s Supreme Court
