News

12 September 2022

• My entire family and I join all Kenyans in wishing the very best to our next President Dr. William Samoei Ruto - Uhuru

• Uhuru Kenyatta met Ruto at State House on Monday ahead of Swearing-in

Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta has finally congratulated his deputy William Ruto after winning the August 9, General Election.

Speaking at State House on Monday, Kenyatta wished Ruto all the best ahead of his inauguration on Tuesday at Kasarani.

“My entire family and I join all Kenyans in wishing the very best to our next President Dr. William Samoei Ruto and extending to him our warmest congratulations for receiving the mandate to lead us as our fifth President." Uhuru Kenyatta said.

Uhuru added; “Mr. President-elect, as you walk the path to your inauguration and beyond, you will be President not just for those who voted for you but for all Kenyans,”.

Talking about Ruto’s inauguration, Kenyatta said;

“I will tomorrow, hand over the instruments of power to our new president at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani,”.

“I pray for your success (President-elect William Ruto) because your success is that of our nation as a whole. As a hallmark of our democracy, I will hand over power tomorrow to the new President and that will mark the end of the fourth administration,”.

Uhuru’s congratulatory message comes days after Ruto lamented that the Head of State was yet to acknowledge his win.

On September 8th, Ruto said that Uhuru had refused to congratulate him. Ruto stated that he is not concerned that the outgoing President has not yet commented on his triumph in a CNN interview on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, President Kenyatta has not seen it fit to congratulate me.

"Maybe he's a bit disillusioned or maybe he's unhappy that I defeated his candidate, but that is the nature of politics," he said.

The information surfaced on the day that Ruto said he spoke with the departing president on the phone to discuss the transition-related issues.