@Alicewangechi
Mt Kenya residents on Monday celebrated with song and dance the Supreme Court's decision that upheld the election of President-elect William Ruto.
Celebrations erupted in Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Murang'a moments after the judges dismissed Raila Odinga's petition that had challenged the declaration of Ruto as the winner of the August 9 presidential election.
Murang’a residents, both supporters of Ruto and his main rival Raila, said the country needs healing to return to normalcy.
Residents who spoke to the Star soon after the Supreme Court’s judgment said with the current economic struggles, the country would have suffered immensely had the court ordered a re-run.
Lawrence Mwangi, a taxi operator in Murang’a town, explained that business was at an all-time low as Kenyans anticipated the court’s decision.
This, he said, was further aggravated by the high cost of fuel that has left many Kenyans struggling to put food on their tables.
Mwangi said many people who previously used taxis are now using tuk tuks or boda bodas while those who used the latter are now walking.
An extended electioneering period, he said, would have only served to further worsen Kenyans’ financial situations with reduced earnings.
“We are happy with the outcome. We have been praying that the judges would not take us back to the polls as the country is suffering economically,” he said.
“Even the cost of a re-run would have been too high for us as taxpayers. We are happy with the court’s decision as it will allow us to resume work. As it is, the country has been on a standstill economically. Let Ruto be sworn in so that we can all resume work.”
Mwangi expressed hopes that Ruto will rejuvenate the economy while implementing his bottom-up economic model.
Peter Manyeki, a staunch supporter of Raila, said his heart sunk when the judges made the declaration.
He had hoped that his candidate would be given a chance to have another stab at the presidency, saying the Azimio la Umoja candidate would have won.
Manyeki, who stood back and watched as residents danced and sang, said he has however accepted the verdict and hopes Ruto will aptly lead the country.
“I have been a strong supporter of Raila but there is nothing much to be done now other than to accept what has happened and move on. I am emotional right now, but I will calm down,” he said with a sulky face.
Mburu Ngugi, a trader, lauded Raila for filing the petition, saying it was paramount good of him to use legal means to register his dissatisfaction with the process.
“It is important that as a country we strictly follow the law as we resolve our challenges to avoid skirmishes. Maybe the situation would not have been as calm as it has been if they did not go to court,” he said.
Ngugi said the fact that the judges’ decision was unanimous would make it easy for Raila’s supporters to move on.
But UDA party coordinator for Mathioya constituency Bernard Kuria said though they were elated by the judgment, it is good for their supporters to celebrate responsibly.
Kuria urged their supporters to keep in mind that Raila’s supporters are grieving their loss and some could be going through a difficult psychological phase.
“It is not good to rub it in their faces that they have lost because they also worked hard. Let us understand that they are going through difficult times. Let us walk forward as a united nation,” he said.
Kuria underscored the need for Kenyans to keep an open mind every election period, saying it is a contest that has to have a winner and loser.
“Winners in all seats should now focus on delivering on the promises they made and know that they only have a few years to impress Wanjiku,” he said.
Edited by A.N
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