Diplomatic missions congratulate Kenyans, IEBC on August 9 elections

The Embassies and High Commissions in Kenya have congratulated Kenyans for maintaining peace before and after the August 9 2022 General Election.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the embassies lauded the organization of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as well as the roles played by civil society, religious and business leaders and the security apparatus throughout the electioneering period.

Kenya has set an example to the region and continent as a whole. We call upon all actors to uphold the spirit of peace in the coming weeks," the statement issued by embassies and high commission of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, read in part.

Further, the countries have called upon the political parties and leaders aggrieved by the election outcome to seek legal redress as laid out by the Constitution of Kenya.

Chebukati declares Ruto

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati on Monday declared William Ruto of the United Democratic Alliance Party as the president-elect.

But it was not without controversy. Before his declaration and announcement at Bomas of Kenya, four out of the seven IEBC commissioners had walked out of the national tallying centre.

Led by IEBC Vice-Chairperson Juliana Cherera, the commissioners - in a press conference at Serena Hotel - said that they could not take ownership of the results Chebukati was going to announce.

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has already rejected the election results, citing massive irregularities both during the election, and the tallying process.