Ruto's victory opens a floodgate of congratulatory messages

The upholding of President-elect William Ruto's victory by the Supreme Court has opened a floodgate of congratulatory messages from around the world. 

A seven-judge benchunanimously upheld the election, siding with the petition's respondents on all the nine key issues that were to be answered during the hearing.

Ruto will now be sworn in as Kenya's fifth president on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

On Monday, the day the Supreme Court delivered its ruling, outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered a video address to the nation in which he reiterated his commitment to a smooth hand over of power. 

“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 pertaining to tour governance,” Uhuru said. 

“Today, the Supreme Court made a decision on the presidential dispute upholding the results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. In keeping to the pledge made to uphold the rule of law, I commit to executing the orders of this court to the letter.”

Congratulatory messages

The congratulatory messages have come from Sweden, the United Kingdom, United States, Netherlands, Burundi, European Union, Uganda, and Sierra Leone among other countries. 

"Congratulations to William Ruto on his election as fifth President of #Kenya and to all Kenyans for concluding the electoral process in calm and peace," writes Josep Borell Fonteless, Vice President of the European Commission. "We look forward to working together and to further developing our partnership."

Some of the messages:

United Kingdom

United States of America

Congratulations to @WilliamsRuto on his election as Kenya’s next president. We look forward to working with the new government and deepening our longstanding partnership for the benefit of Kenyans and Americans alike.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 5, 2022

International Human Rights Foundation

Sweden

Netherlands

Burundi

Uganda