National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has warned Kenyans to save their country from Musevenism.

Bobi Wine’s warning came after Kenyan Member of Parliament for Fafi Constituency, Salah Yakub suggested that the limit on two terms for president should be removed.

“We want to tell all Kenyans that the limit on two terms (for president) should be relooked. We want it to be changed to an age limit where one gets to 75 years then he or she cannot contest,” he said.

The legislator added that they will come up with an amendment Bill to try to change this because they want the requirement to be on age limit and not terms.

“If a president is doing a good job, then he or she should not be limited by the terms.”

Bobi Wine however advised Kenyans to be vigilant and save their country from Musevenism.

“This may come off as a lone MP making a ridiculous suggestion, but this is how it starts. Exactly how Museveni began schemes to remove term and age limits. Defend your Constitution before it’s too weak to defend you.”

NUP’s General Secretary, Lewis Rubongoya also expressed his fears noting that he hopes Kenyans are not falling into the same trap.

He said, “To remove term limits, Gen. Museveni used James Kakooza. For term limits, he used Raphael Magyezi. First, they appeared as random MPs making proposals. Turned out the plots were birthed in State House. I hope our Kenyan brothers are not falling in the same trap. They won’t like it.

“The objective of any dictator at this point would be to make something so immoral a subject of public debate. Even if most people make angry remarks about it, the dictator’s objective is fulfilled when it is discussed as he has capacity to pay some people to discuss in its favour.”

By Kalamira Hope

Kenya’s Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld William Ruto’s presidential win in a scathing judgement that blasted opposition leader Raila Odinga’s accusations of cheating.

In the presidential election that took place on 15th August, 2022, Ruto garnered 7,176,141 votes making 50.49% while Raila Odinga garnered 6,942,930 votes making 48.85%.

Odinga challenged William Ruto’s win in the Supreme Court and alleged the tally had involved “criminality”.

In his petition, Odinga asked the court to nullify the vote’s outcome on several grounds, including a mismatch between the turnout figures and the result, and alleges the election commission failed to tally ballots from 27 constituencies, rendering the result unverifiable and unaccountable.

“We have enough evidence to prove all of the criminality that occurred. We are confident that in the end, the truth will be revealed,” Odinga said.

In a televised judgement, Chief Justice Martha Koome, who heads the seven-member court, dismissed all the eight petitions challenging the elections.

“The court found some of these petitions were based on forged documents and “sensational information”, Chief Justice Martha Koome said in a unanimous decision on behalf of the seven judges.

“No credible evidence that the electronic voting transmission system had been tampered with by a supposed “middle man” was presented,” she said.

Koome even raised the possibility of perjury, noting that two people who filed affidavits allegedly on behalf of polling stations agents had not spoken to the agents.

“Swearing to falsehoods is a criminal offence,” she said.

Ms. Koome also said that Mr Ruto had met the constitutional threshold of garnering 50%+1 of votes cast.

“IEBC carried out the verification, tallying, and declaration of results in accordance with the provided constitutional law.”

“This court upholds the election of the first respondent (William Ruto) as the president-elect,” Koome ruled.

Kenya’s 5th President William Ruto will be sworn in on September 13th, 2022.

WE RESPECT OPINION OF COURT BUT DISAGREE WITH RULING – ODINGA

Meanwhile, Odinga has disagreed with the Supreme court ruling.

“We have always stood for the rule of law and the constitution. In this regard, we respect the opinion of the court although we vehemently disagree with their decision today,” Odinga’s statement reads.

He adds, “Our lawyers proffered irrefutable evidence and the facts were on our side, unfortunately the judges saw it otherwise. We find it incredible that the judges found against us on all nine grounds and occasion resulted to unduly exaggerated language to refute our claims.

“This judgement is by no means the end of our movement, in fact it inspires us to redouble our efforts to transform this country into a prosperous democracy where each and every Kenyan can find their full belonging.

“We thank our supporters and Kenyans across the country for standing with us. We will be communicating in the near future on our plans to continue our struggle for transparency, accountability and democracy,” Odinga adds.

This is Odinga’s fifth attempt at the presidency; he blamed several previous losses on rigging. Those disputes triggered violence that claimed more than 100 lives in 2017 and more than 1,200 lives in 2007.

THIS MARKS THE END OF POLITICS OF DECEIT, BETRAYAL AND CONMANSHIP – RUTO

Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling, Kenya’s new President-elect Williams Ruto, accompanied by his wife  Mama Rachel Ruto and his running mate, and future deputy president Rigathi Gachagua with wife laid out his vision of a democratic Kenya.

Ruto said he welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold his election victory with “tremendous humility” and praised the judges for their “neutrality” and “patriotism”.

Even though it is well known that President Kenyatta and Mr. Ruto – who was his deputy – fell out several years ago, which saw Mr. Kenyatta backing his opponent Mr. Raila Odinga, Ruto said he will put a call to him.

“I will shortly be putting a call to my good friend President Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said to laughter from all those watching on.

“I haven’t talked to him [Kenyatta] in months…I know he worked hard in his own way… I take no offence that he decided to choose and support somebody else and therefore we will remain friends.”

Mr. Ruto also said that Mr. Kenyatta will be treated well.

“We will respect our president in his retirement… we are honourable people, we are not petty and we are not jealous. He has done a good job and he will have his place in the history of Kenya. Nobody should harbour anything against the president of Kenya.”

Ruto promised to stamp out division in Kenya and forge a path of unity saying democracy should not be an “acrimonious enterprise”.

He extended a hand of friendship to his political opponents, saying those who voted for his competitors all want what is best for Kenya and that he is committed to delivering that.

“We are not enemies, we are Kenyans. Let us unite to make Kenya a nation of which everyone shall be proud to call home.”

“This marks the end of the politics of deceit, betrayal and conmanship,” he said.

“We want the politics of the Kenya of the future – every leader must be judged on what they say and what they say is what they do.”

By Hope Kalamira

William Ruto, who many call ‘the ordinary hustler’ has won Raila Odinga to become the 5^th President of Kenya.

According to results announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebutaki, Ruto garnered 7,176,141 votes making 50.49% while Raila Odinga garnered 6,942,930 votes making 48.85%.

Following his victory, Ruto noted, “I know there were predictions that we wouldn’t get here. But there is a God in heaven. without God we wouldn’t be here, I confess.”

He added, “In this election, there are no losers. The people of Kenya have won. The hero of this election is IBEC.

“Without informing anyone of us, you (IEBC) put all results on a public portal where any Kenyan could access. That became the game changer in this election.”

He further appreciated his opponent, Raila Odinga for the campaign that they all dwelled on issues and they tried to sell an agenda to Kenyans.

“I want to promise that I will work with all the elected leaders so that we can fashion a country that leaves nobody behind.”

He pledged to work with the opposition so that they provide oversight to his administration.

He also thanked his boss, Uhuru Kenyatta who has worked with him adding that he wants to commit that he will build on the foundation that Uhuru and he put together and take the country to the next level.

Ruto however assured those who have done many things against them noting that they shouldn’t fear because there is no room for vengeance or looking back.

“I know many are wondering especially those who have done many things against us. I want to tell them that there’s nothing to fear. There’s no room for vengeance or looking back.”

He asserted, “I am aware that our country is at the stage where we need all hands on deck. We don’t have the luxury to look back, point fingers or portion blame. We must work together for a functioning democratic prosperous Kenya.”

CHAOS BEFORE RUTO DECLARATION

Before the decration of Ruto as winner, four (4) IEBC officials distanced themselves from results at the last minute.

Addressing press today, at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, IEBC Vice chairperson Juliana Cherera said that four out of the seven commissioners have disowned results insisting that the tallying at the final stage has been opaque.

IEBC has since gone mute at panic hour from 3:00 pm which was the hour of announcing results.

According to different candidates, David Mwaire, who was in the race conceded defeat, George Wajackoyah said polls were rigged while Raila Odinga’s chief agent said polls were conducted in an opaque manner.

“We are not going to accept the results, whether it is Raila winning, Ruto or me, we are not accepting until all results are tallied and verified,” he roared.

WILLIAM RUTO’S POLITICAL JOURNEY

• Born 21 December 1966
• Holds Doctorate degree in Plant Ecology in 2018, UON
• 1992: Member Youth for KANU ’92 (YK92)
• 1997: Elected Eldoret North MP through KANU
• 1998-2002: Assistant Minister, Office of the President, later Minister for Home Affairs and Director KANU elections
• 2005: Elected KANU’s Secretary-General
• 2006: Announces presidential bid ahead of 2007 election
• 2007: Ditches KANU, co-founds Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) with Raila Odinga, was a member of ODM’s top organ – The Pentagon
• 2008-2010: Minister for Agriculture in the Kibaki-Raila coalition government
• 2009: Survives censure motion over maize scandal
• 2008-2009: Ruto falls out with Raila Odinga over ICC trials
• -Local tribunal formed to investigate 2007/8 Post-Election Violence, PEV
• -Ruto pushes for trials at the ICC, opposes Kibaki, Raila call for local trials
• 2010 – 2011: Appointed Minister for Higher Education
• 2010: Opposes new constitution which sails through in a referendum
• -Raila suspends Ruto from the Agriculture docket, and Kibaki later reinstates him
• -Ruto among six individuals named as being behind 2007/8 post-election violence
• 2012: Quits United Democratic Movement (UDM), launches United Democratic Party.
• 2012: Teams up with Uhuru Kenyatta to form Jubilee Alliance
• 2013: Becomes Kenya’s first elected Deputy President
• 2013: Ruto trial at ICC in The Hague begins
• October 2014: Becomes Acting President briefly while Uhuru attends ICC case in The Hague
• -High Court orders Ruto to surrender a 100-acre farm and compensate a farmer who accused him of land grabbing.
• 2016: Ruto case at ICC collapses
• 2018: Graduates with PhD from the University of Nairobi
• 2018: Ruto fallout with Uhuru following Uhuru-Raila handshake and BBI
• 2019: Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) formed
• -Ruto campaigns against BBI fronted by Uhuru and Raila
• 2021: United Democratic Alliance (UDA), associated with Ruto formally registered
• March 16, 2022: Ruto officially declares intention to vie for the presidency, gets UDA endorsement
• August 15, 2022: Declared winner of Kenyan presidential election. Announced as 5th president of Kenya

By Kalamira Hope