The leader of the 55-year-old Kenya Kwanza group was proclaimed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. He need 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 counties and 50% of the total votes cast in the nation plus one.
According to IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati at the Bomas of Kenya national tallying center, Ruto received 7,176,141 votes, or 50.49 percent of the total vote, while Raila received 6,942,930 votes, or 48.85 percent.
He defeated 77-year-old Raila Odinga, a flamboyant and illustrious opposition figure who has lost five elections overall (including this one).
Despite trailing in most counties, the Deputy President was able to win the majority of votes from the Mt. Kenya region, which was crucial and vote-rich.
