William Ruto (pictured), who was announced as the winner of last week’s presidential election has spoken out for the first time since his rival, Raila Odinga, rejected the results, saying he will hail freedom of speech and democratic values.
“Blackmail, intimidation, threats have come to a stop”, Mr Ruto said.
“I want to promise the people of Kenya that our administration will have nothing to do with the blackmail we have seen.”
“We are having our democratic country back.”
Speaking to members of his coalition, he did not make direct reference to Mr Odinga’s comments on Tuesday.
Ruto said he has won a broader mandate than Kenya’s previous two elections with 25% of the vote in 39 counties.
“Learn from the people of Kenya who have settled on the issues,” he said.
He also highlighted the “celebrations across Kenya” implying the people of Kenya accept the vote result.
William Ruto continued: “”Public service will be professional and will serve Kenyans equally without preference to political affiliations.”
He has asked public servants who have been “forced to take political positions to step back” and do their work professionally.
“Political business will be carried out by political actors,” he says. “It’s the only way we can have a government that delivers.”
