Ruto congratulates Samia Suluhu for election win, Kindiki attends swearing-in ceremony
Kenya’s President William Ruto has congratulated Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, two days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared her the winner of last week’s presidential election.
President Suluhu is currently being sworn in at a ceremony in Dodoma, attended on behalf of President Ruto by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
In a statement, President Ruto emphasized the strong historical ties and shared aspirations between Kenya and Tanzania for regional prosperity and stability.
As the current chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), Dr. Ruto urged the Tanzanian opposition—who have rejected the election outcome—to pursue dialogue for the benefit of the nation and the wider region.
“I call upon the patriotic people of Tanzania to uphold peace and the rule of law. I encourage all political actors to embrace dialogue and tolerance in addressing any grievances to safeguard democracy and stability,” President Ruto said.
President Suluhu was declared the winner after securing 31 million votes—representing 97.6 percent of the total cast—in the October 29 election. However, the results have been widely disputed, triggering violent protests across several parts of the country, with reports of multiple fatalities.
Human rights organizations in both Tanzania and Kenya have condemned the violence, alleging that police used excessive force and that hundreds of protesters have been killed.
President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to facilitate dialogue among Tanzanian stakeholders to promote peace.
President Suluhu now becomes Tanzania’s first-ever female leader to be elected to the office, having previously assumed the presidency following the death of former President John Magufuli.
Meanwhile, Kenyan activists have criticized the EAC for its silence regarding the reported killings of demonstrators in Tanzania.
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and Professor Kivutha Kibwana called on President Ruto, in his capacity as EAC chair, to address the alleged electoral irregularities and exclusion of opposition candidates.
“It seems the EAC is no longer a community serving the people but one protecting those in power at all costs. How can President Ruto and other leaders remain silent? Silence in such circumstances is complicity,” Ms. Karua said.
Despite the electoral commission declaring Ms. Suluhu the winner with 98 percent of the vote, only Somalia’s President has officially recognized her victory so far.
International concern continues to mount over the disputed election, with human rights groups sharing graphic footage purportedly showing victims of post-election violence and demanding an urgent investigation.
“We are alarmed by reports that neighboring governments may be complicit in supporting the violent crackdown on protesters. The apparent cross-border collaboration in suppressing dissent points to a worrying trend of regional authoritarianism,” Prof. Kibwana warned.
