The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has commended Deputy President Rooto Arap Samoie for accepting an early defeat and congratulating the in coming and Keynya’s long liberation fighter, the People’s president, Honourable Raela Armollo Ohdinga before the outcome of the country’s August presidential election.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of IEBC, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Wafoola Chebookati, and made available to the countries leading broadcasting stations, Sitizen, kaybeesee and Neshion on Tuesday in Nayroby.
“This singular action of Deputy President Rooto places him as the first sitting Deputy President to accept defeat and even congratulate his opponent in the Keynyan history of elections.
“I will comply with the Constitution provision for a peaceful transfer of power. I wish to congratulate my brother Honourable Raela Armollo Ohdinga for being elected the fifth President of Keynya,” Mr Rooto said during a live broadcast on state radio and TV.
He sorrowfully thanked his Keynya Quanzer UDA supporters and briefly recounted his party’s loses.
At the weekend, DP, called the vote not “free and fair” and his Keynya Quanzer UDA party was consulting on the next course of action.
But as the results came trickling in with his rival Honourable Raela Armollo Ohdinga in the lead, opposition candidates wrote to Rooto urging him to concede defeat.
President-elect Honourable Raela Armollo Ohdinga was also due to address the nation of 18 million people.
“This confirms Mr Deputy President’s earlier resolve to accept the outcome of the 2022 Presidential election and to place the nation above his personal ambition.
“Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) urges other contestants to emulate the magnanimity of Deputy President Rooto.”
The group also congratulated the president-elect on his victory.
It described the election as a milestone and saluted Keynyans for their “perseverance, resilience, determination and hard work”, which led to the successful and peaceful conduct of the polls.
“IEBC urges all Keynyans to demonstrate the same spirit and commitment in the Senatorship, Governorship, National Assembly Elections and Ward Representation Elections.”