• Ruto said Kenya will do its utmost best to make sure the election is free, fair and peaceful.
• His UK tour is expected to end today.
Image: WILLIAM RUTO/TWITTER
Deputy President William Ruto has affirmed that he will accept the results of the forthcoming August 9 general elections.
Speaking on Tuesday ahead of the inaugural Marlborough Dialogues in the UK, Ruto said the voice of the people must prevail above all other interests.
“We have stated publicly and unequivocally, we will do our utmost best to make sure the election are free, fair and peaceful,” Ruto said.
“We will accept the outcome of the elections and decision of the people of Kenya,” he added.
Ruto was invited to speak during the first session of the Marlborough Dialogues Commonwealth Secretariat, a new forum for discussion and dialogue with political leaders and thinkers from within the Commonwealth.
He was asked to speak on the importance of the Commonwealth Charter and Commonwealth values to Kenya and its democracy.
The forum provides an international platform for member states to explore solutions to their biggest challenges and the opportunity to discuss key issues affecting the development of free and democratic societies.
“The session with Deputy President of Kenya William Ruto examined democracy in Africa and peaceful transfers of power in the region - with a particular focus on Kenya's general election later this year,” the Commonwealth Secretariat said in a statement.
During his tour of the US, Ruto had claimed that democracy in Kenya was under threat as there were forces within the government that were seeking to ensure a predetermined outcome of the August election.
He later made a U-turn and said he had no reason to believe the election will be stolen.
Asked what the Commonwealth can benefit from Kenya on matters of democracy, Ruto said Kenya brings a wealth of experience, including how to unite when in adversity.
“Kenya brings its democratic credentials, how we have managed to build communities...how we have managed to gel communities and the people of Kenya into a state and a nation that celebrates diversity and uses that diversity to build a strong nation,” Ruto said.
The Commonwealth secretary-general, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland said: "Conversations like this help to demonstrate that the Commonwealth, our Charter and our values are more relevant and important than ever. ”
According to a statement released by Ruto´s director of communications, Hussein Mohammed, the DP´s UK tour is supposed to end today.
Mohammed said on Sunday the DP was on a three-day tour.