President-elect William Ruto held a phone conversation with outgoing Head of State Uhuru Kenyatta, the first call since the Supreme Court upheld his election.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 7, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader said the talks centred on the just concluded general election.
The leaders also talked about a smooth transition process ahead of the inauguration ceremony slated for Tuesday, September 13.
“I had a telephone conversation with my boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta. We discussed the just concluded General Election and the transition as envisaged by our democratic tradition and practice,” Ruto tweeted.
I had a telephone conversation with my boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta. We discussed the just concluded General Election and the transition as envisaged by our democratic tradition and practice.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 7, 2022
The call comes two days after Uhuru committed to a peaceful transition process as he proceeds to retirement.
“It’s my intention to oversee a smooth transition to the next administration and all the necessary orders to facilitate this process have already been issued,” Uhuru stated adding that he wishes Ruto well as he prepares to assume the highest office in the land.
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Raila Odinga’s petition challenging the election of Ruto as the country’s fifth president, paving way for his swearing-in.
In a judgement delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, the court ruled that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader was validly elected in the elections conducted on August 9.
Speaking after the Supreme Court judgement, Ruto said he would make a call to Uhuru to discuss the transition process.
Ruto disclosed that he had not talked to the President in months.
“I haven’t talked to Uhuru Kenyatta in months but shortly I will call him so that we can have a conversation on the process of transition. I know he worked hard in his own way but the people of Kenya have made a decision,” Ruto stated.
Uhuru supported Raila in the August 9 polls. The Jubilee party duo fell out following the President’s handshake with the long-serving opposition leader.
