Kenyatta declared winner of Kenya’s presidential vote

Monday, 11 March 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Uhuru Kenyatta, indicted for crimes against humanity, was declared winner of Kenya’s Presidential election on Saturday, but rival Raila Odinga said he would challenge the outcome in court and asked supporters to avoid violence.

Kenya’s richest man and son Kenyatta of its founding President faces trial on charges of playing a leading role in the wave of tribal killings that followed the disputed 2007 presidential election. His win on Saturday avoided what could have been a divisive a run-off pencilled in for April.

With Kenyatta (51), in the top job, Kenya will become the second African country after Sudan to have a sitting President who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court.

The United States and other Western powers, big donors to the east African country, said before the vote that a Kenyatta win would complicate diplomatic ties with a nation viewed as a vital ally in a regional battle against militant Islam. In his acceptance speech, Kenyatta said he and his team would cooperate with international institutions and that he expected the world to respect Kenya’s sovereignty.

“We recognise and accept our international obligations and we will continue to cooperate with all nations and international institutions in line with those obligations.”

After saying Kenyatta secured 50.07% of the vote, edging over the 50% needed to avoid a second round, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Issack Hassan, announced: “I therefore declare Uhuru Kenyatta the duly elected President of the Republic of Kenya.”