President of Kenya: William Samoei Arap Ruto has been elected as the President of Kenya in the General Elections which was held on August 9, 2022.

Key Highlights:

• William Ruto beat five-time contender Raila Odinga by a small margin to become the next President of the country.
• According to data shared by Kenya’s Electoral Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Ruto received 50.49% of votes while Odinga received 48.85% of votes.
• William Ruto has held the post of Deputy President of Kenya since 2013 
• He will be replacing the outgoing Uhuru Kenyatta who came to power in 2013 and won a second term in 2017.
• In the Kenyan general elections, voters also elected the county governors of Kenya, members of National Assembly & Senate, and members of 47 county assemblies of Kenya.
• As per the constitution, there is a two-term limit for the election of the President and Country Governors in Kenya.
• Year 2022 marked the third general election and fourth presidential election, ever since constitution was promulgated in 2010.

Kenya’s Electoral System and Polity:

• In accordance with the Kenyan Constitution promulgated in 2010, the country follows a multi-party democracy with a Presidential System.
• The Elections in the East African nation are organized and managed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
• Under the electoral system of Kenya, the voters elect the President, Senate and National Assembly directly.
• General elections are held every five years in the country.
• According to the constitution of Kenya, general election for members of parliament is held on second Tuesday of August every fifth year.
• If there is war situation in country, election can be delayed with a resolution passed in each House of Parliament by 2/3rd of all the members.

About Kenya:

• Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa.
• Kenya is the 29th most populous country.
• Kenya's capital is Nairobi.
• Its oldest city and first capital is the coastal city of Mombasa.
• Kisumu City is the third-largest city and also an inland port on Lake Victoria.
• As of 2020, Kenya is the third-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and South Africa.
• Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
• The currency used here is Kenyan shilling.