Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (L) and Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto attend the 51th Jamhuri Day (Independence Day) celebration at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Dec. 12, 2014. Kenya got its independence from British rule in 1963. (Xinhua/Meng Chenguang)

Kenya's incoming president William Ruto said on Monday his administration will prioritize economic turnaround, peace, reconciliation, and cohesion once he is sworn into office next week.

Ruto in a televised address to the nation soon after the Supreme Court declared he was validly elected as Kenya's fifth president, pledged to transform the economy, ensure growth was shared evenly, and unite the country after a fractious campaign season.

China congratulates Ruto on his election as Kenya's president and wishes Kenya to maintain peace and stability and make greater progress in national development, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on a Tuesday press briefing.

"Kenya is an important partner of China in East Africa, and we look forward to working with the Kenyan side to pursue more achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries," said Mao.

Ruto, who turns 56 years old on December 21, 2022, was declared the winner of the presidential election by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman on August 15, after garnering 7.17 million or 50.49 percent of 14.1 million votes cast during the August 9 polls.

His closest rival in the race and veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga garnered 6.9 million or 48.85 percent of votes cast but disputed Ruto's victory citing electoral malpractices.

Odinga and a host of civil society activists later filed a petition at the Supreme Court to overturn Ruto's victory but the seven bench judges of the apex court in their ruling on Monday dismissed the consolidated petitions, citing a lack of tangible evidence.

Xinhua - Global Times