Kenya (MNN) — William Ruto has been sworn in as the President of Kenya after narrowly beating challenger Raila Odinga. Ruto received 50.9 percent of the vote, while Odinga received 48.9 percent.
The election took place on August 9. But the results were close, and Odinga claimed election fraud. He appealed to the Kenya Supreme Court, which confirmed Ruto as the winner.
Nehemiah with FMI says, “I was in Kenya, witnessing protests and people in the streets. I saw people burning tires. Markets were closed, there was no movement. People were protesting against the decision.”
Odinga comes from a wealthy Kenyan family and has run for president several times. His platform includes affordable healthcare for the impoverished in Kenya. He also promised to crack down on rampant corruption.
Ruto’s Christianity
Ruto campaigned as an evangelical Christian, so much so that his opponents called him Deputy Jesus. Nehemiah says, “At the same time, President Ruto also enjoys the support of Kenya’s Muslim community. They stand in agreement with Mr. Ruto’s stance against same-sex marriages and in support of abortion restrictions within the country.”
“Muslim support even gave Mr. Ruto’s government a majority in the Kenyan parliament.”
The election caused many different emotions throughout Kenyan society. Some Christians feel excitement for Ruto’s government.
Others point to scandals in his past. He stood trial before the International Criminal Court, accused of stirring up violence after the 2007 election. Nehemiah says, “A huge number of people think he is not behaving like a true Christian. The Church has been divided on it.”
Ask God to give the Church wisdom.
The header photo shows William Ruto in 2010. (Photo courtesy of Dean Calma / IAEA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)