Taking over

Kenya 2022 elections: What is next for president-elect William Ruto?

By Son Gatitu

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Posted on August 18, 2022 20:04

 © Kenya’s President-elect William Ruto prepares to address the media at his official residence of the deputy president in the Karen area of Nairobi, Kenya Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
Kenya’s President-elect William Ruto prepares to address the media at his official residence of the deputy president in the Karen area of Nairobi, Kenya Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

Kenya’s president-elect William Ruto is counting down the days before he is bestowed the responsibility of steering the East African country for the next five years. Ruto served as deputy president since April 2013, so this will not be unfamiliar territory. But, his big day may however have to wait, should his main rival, Raila Odinga, make good on his promise to challenge Ruto’s 9 August election win in court.

According to the Kenyan constitution, Ruto should be sworn in to office on 30 August, which is the first Tuesday “following the fourteenth day after the date of the declaration [15 August] of the result of the presidential election,” the constitution provides. But this can only take place if there is no petition contesting the outcome of the presidential election at the supreme court.

The constitution of Kenya requires a person contesting the outcome of presidential election to file a petition at the supreme court within seven days of the announcement of the results. This means if Odinga makes good his statement, he must file a petition by 22 August.

Once such a petition has been filed, it would put on hold plans to swear in Ruto.

Legal contest

Should a petition be received by 22 August, the supreme court is required in law to within fourteen days, “hear and determine the petition and

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