The Supreme Court dismisses Raila Odinga's challenge to the presidential election results
The chief justice rejected all of the arguments of the petitioners
William Ruto is the president-elect of Kenya
He pledges to work for all Kenyans
Swearing-in is now set for next Tuesday
Ruto's main challenger Odinga had said the result was fraudulent
Odinga says he respects the court but disagrees with the ruling
We're now closing this special live page focusing on Kenya's Supreme Court rejection of Raila Odinga's challenge to the presidential election result.
You can scroll down to see how the day unfolded and you can catch up with other news on our regular Africa Live page here.
Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta has made his first comments on the outcome of the election since the vote was held on 9 August, without mentioning the President-elect, William Ruto, specifically by name or congratulating him.
He had backed Raila Odinga against his deputy, Mr Ruto. But Mr Ruto narrowly won - a victory that was confirmed by the Supreme Court, which earlier rejected Mr Odinga's complaints.
"In keeping to the pledge that I made to uphold the rule of law when I took the oath of office I commit to executing the orders of this court to the letter," Mr Kenyatta said.
He also reassured Kenyans that there would be a smooth handover.
"The process of handing over is in progress... it is my intention to oversee a smooth transition to the next administration."
But though the speech was delivered in a calm manner there was some apparent criticism of today's judicial ruling.
"Because democracy is a work in progress I urge the country to respect the institutions that midwife our new leaders... I also urge citizens to constantly put them under scrutiny because this is the civic duty of every single Kenyan," Mr Kenyatta said.
He then went on to question whether the Supreme Court had acted consistently. In 2017, the president himself had his initial victory overturned by the same court.
"People must scrutinise the truth – has there been a consistent pattern?" he asked.
"Is it about numbers or is it about process? Which of these two is it?
"And can our institutions rule one way in one election and another way in another election without scrutiny?
"I do invite you Kenyans to keep vigil and indeed to hold all institutions to account."
You can watch the address here:
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International diplomats and politicians are sending congratulatory messages to William Ruto after the Supreme Court decision earlier.
The head of the African Union commission Moussa Faki Mahamat sent his "warmest congratulations" and also "salute[s] the leadership of Hon Raila Odinga for respecting the Supreme Court ruling".
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The UK's Africa Minister has praised the example Kenya has set for the world in the calm democratic process:
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And the European Union's chief diplomat also praises the country for a calm and peaceful process:
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Anne Soy
BBC News, Nairobi
Image source, ReutersKenya’s President-elect William Ruto, whose victory has been upheld by the Supreme Court, has pledged to unite the country and assured dissenting voices that they will not be victimised.
Mr Ruto has also said he has not spoken to outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta in months but would now place a call to him to discuss the transition.
The two leaders fell out five years ago and Mr Kenyatta backed the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the presidential election.
The country next president says he doesn’t take offence that Mr Kenyatta chose to support his rival.
He assured the outgoing leader that he’ll be treated with dignity and respect in retirement, as will Mr Odinga when he exits the political scene.
“Nobody will be vilified, victimised or prosecuted for having a view contrary to ours,” Mr Ruto said.
He welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold his victory and said it brings to a close a protracted election process.
Image source, AFPMartha Koome is a strong advocate of women's and children's rights
As Kenya's Supreme Court Chief Justice, Martha Koome played a key role in the decision to uphold William Ruto as president-elect.
Many online have been praising her for her work, describing her as a "hero" and as a deliverer of justice.
So, who exactly is she?
The 62-year-old's journey started off in Meru in rural eastern Kenya where she was born into a polygamous family.
"I am a villager in the truest sense. My parents were peasant farmers and we were 18 children from two mothers. So, for all of us, especially girls - it was a struggle to overcome the odds," she has previously said about her upbringing.
Her appointment as chief justice in May 2021, came as a surprise, but she came top of 10 candidates interviewed in front of a live television audience by Kenya's Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
She won the panel over with her calm and confident tone during a four-hour grilling, in which she was described as a "breath of fresh air".
Recognised worldwide, Justice Koome was runner-up for the UN's Kenya Person of the Year Award in 2020 for her work on children's rights.
You can read her full profile here.
Image source, BBC/ David WafulaKenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a statement saying the abuse its staff faced during the 9 August presidential elections "reached an unimaginable scale".
It gave an extensive list of the alleged abuse, including the "assault and injury" of commission chairman Wafula Chebukati and others, as well as the "unwarranted arrest" of a voter education coordinator.
The list also included allegations of "abduction" and "torturing", "harassment and physical assault" as well as an alleged break-in to the offices of a senior staff member at the National Tallying Centre "with the intention of accessing sensitive data".
The statement also said some IEBC staff had "lost their lives", referring to Geoffrey Gitobu, a returning officer for Gichugu Constituency who the commission says "died in what could be election related stress".
An autopsy of Mr Gitobu showed that he died of a blood clot., external
Kenya's election has been marred by allegations of intimidation, threats and blackmail.
Taking questions, William Ruto was asked how he would reassure the young supporters of Raila Odinga.
"We are a democracy," he responds, "the majority have their way, the minority have their say... The administration will serve all Kenyans irrespective of who they voted for..."
"The government of Kenya is going to be the government of all Kenyans so they have nothing to worry about."
The president-elect is laying out his vision of a democratic Kenya that is free from intimidation.
"This marks the end of the politics of deceit, betrayal and conmanship," he says.
"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."
Mr Ruto feels that he and his supporters have sometimes been persecuted.
"We want to have a country based on the rule of law – the criminal justice system will be reserved for getting criminals and criminality – it will never be used again for political reasons... against those who have a contrary view to ours."
He also says 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."
And Mr Odinga will be respected, he adds.
William Ruto said the work to implement his vision for Kenya will start from tomorrow.
"Beginning tomorrow he will start working with people in government offices," he says.
"I know there is huge expectation. Many people are texting me and asking, when is the Hustler Fund going to be launched," he says, which was received with laughter in the audience.
Mr Ruto had run his campaign on a ticket of being a "hustler" in an attempt to appeal to everyday people who struggle to make ends meet.
He also made a specific reference to farmers, who want to know when policies will be rolled out to support them, such a subsidised fertiliser.
Read more: Kenya's Deputy President Ruto campaigns for 'Hustler Nation'
After talking to President Kenyatta, William Ruto says he will also call his rival candidates.
"I will also be putting a call to my worthy competitors beginning with Raila Odinga... so that we can begin to contextualise how we are going to work together for the people of Kenya."
William Ruto turns to who he will be speaking to next.
"I will shortly be putting a call to my good friend President Uhuru Kenyatta," he says to laughter from all those watching on.
It is well known that President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto - who was his deputy - fell out several years ago. Mr Kenyatta backed his opponent Raila Odinga.
"I haven’t talked to him [Kenyatta] in months...I know he worked hard in his own way," which again was received with laughter.
"I take no offence that he decided to choose and support somebody else and therefore we will remain friends."
Kenya's President-elect William Ruto is trying 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."
He also said he would rule for all people, irrespective of their “social status, religion, ethnicity and gender”.
William Ruto praises the work of the electoral commission (IEBC) talking about the officials who have lost their lives and been the subject of intimidation "and all manner of attempts to subvert the will of the people".
But he also turns to those who petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge the 9 August result saying that it was their constitutional right.
"It was perfectly legitimate for the petitioners to go before the Supreme Court to have their questions answered."
Kenya's president-elect says he welcomes the Supreme Court's decision to uphold his election victory with "tremendous humility" and praised the judges for their "neutrality" and "patriotism".
Speaking in a press conference he stated that their decision marks the end of Kenya's election: "Our lengthy, suspenseful and protracted election has come to an end."
He also said his win was a source of inspiration for young Kenyans.
"I think my election opens possibilities for all our children irrespective of their background".
William Ruto turns to all the people who backed him.
"Let me thank many people who have prayed for us," he says.
"We were prayed into victory. Many people prayed, many people fasted and we are truly grateful and we will not let you down, we will work hard and we will not let you down."
He also thanked his political allies.
"Many of you have been taken to court, many of you have been harassed... your only crime was to be my friend.
"But we believed in a better Kenya, a freer more democratic Kenya."
Kenya's president-elect, William Ruto, has said he was "overwhelmed" that the Supreme Court upheld his election victory on Monday after a challenge from defiant opponent, Raila Odinga.
"This is a moment like no other" he said in a speech which included further Bible references and references to his Christian faith, as he did in an earlier tweet.
"We are here today to celebrate" he continued.
William Ruto's running mate and future deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is speaking first.
He welcomes the "one-and-only" William Ruto - which gets a big cheer from all the dignitaries.
The master of ceremonies at the official residence of the deputy president, and now president-elect, William Ruto, has asked everyone to sit down ahead of his first address since the Supreme Court ruling.
There are cheers as Mr Ruto approaches the dais.
Image source, Getty ImagesRead more on the president-elect:
Several world leaders had already sent congratulations to William Ruto following the election results announcement last month, but Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has now joined in.
In a tweet he said he looks "forward to working" with Mr Ruto "to strengthen and enhance good relations between Zambia and Kenya".
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