President Hichilema Congratulates William Ruto, Liz Truss On Election Wins

President Hakainde Hichilema has congratulated William Ruto after Kenya’s Supreme Court confirmed his election as President on Monday. 

Writing on social Media, President Hichilema said, “We look forward to working with you, Your Excellency, to strengthen and enhance the historical good relations between Zambia and Kenya.” 

“This is based on our shared priorities which include peace and security on our continent, democracy, as well as greater economic prosperity and social development for our two peoples,” he added.

The message came after Kenya’s highest court declared that Ruto had been properly elected, dismissing several petitions seeking to annul the result of the 9th August election.

Ruto’s rival, Raila Odinga, and several others had alleged there had been widespread fraud in the election process. However, in a scathing ruling, judges said some of the petitioners had falsified evidence.  

In the closely-run election Ruto garnered 50.5% of the vote against 48.8% for Odinga.

On Monday, President Hichilema also posted his congratulations to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who was named leader of the Conservative Party and is due to be appointed Prime Minister following a visit to the Queen later today.

In his message the president sent his “warm congratulations” to Ms Truss and said he looked forward to further strengthening ties between the UK and Zambia “for the mutual benefit of our two nations, and peoples.” 

Ms Truss is due to be installed as Prime Minister following another closely run race, this time within her own party. Ms Truss saw off her rival, the former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, to become leader of the Conservative Party by a margin of 57% to Sunak’s 43% - the closest race of its kind in British history.

Under the terms of the UK’s constitution, Ms Truss will now fly to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to meet with the Queen, where she will be named Prime Minister and asked to form a Government. Her predecessor, Boris Johnson, will deliver his official resignation to the monarch shortly beforehand.