William Ruto is declared Kenya’s next president

Highlights:

• Kenyan Deputy President, William Ruto is now the country’s president.
• He was declared the winner of the last presidential election over five-time contender Raila Odinga.
• Before Wafula Chebukati, the chair of Kenya’s electoral commission could announce Ruto’s victory. 
• Ruto received 50.49% of the vote while Odinga received 48.85%
• Odinga, famous for his yearslong detention while fighting for multiparty democracy decades ago and for supporting Kenya’s groundbreaking 2010 constitution, now appeared to many Kenyans as part of the establishment for backing the proposed constitutional changes.
• After the 2007 vote, more than 1,000 people were killed after Odinga claimed victory had been stolen from him in an election widely seen as compromised. 
• Ruto, then Odinga’s ally, was indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity for his role in the violence, but the case was terminated amid allegations of witness intimidation.
• After the 2007 vote, more than 1,000 people were killed after Odinga claimed victory had been stolen from him in an election widely seen as compromised. 
• Ruto,then Odinga’s ally, was indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity for his role in the violence, but the case was terminated amid allegations of witness intimidation.