Ruto to talk with President Kenyatta for the 'first time in months', says they will remain friends

Speaking after the Supreme Court of Kenya unanimously upheld his election win, Dr Ruto said that his government will respect Uhuru Kenyatta in retirement banishing any rumours to the contrary.

"We will give him the respect and dignity a former head of state deserves. we are honourable people, we are not petty and jealous. He has done a good job and he will have his place in the history of Kenya so nobody should peddle any falsehoods or that we harbour anything against the President of Kenya," said Dr Ruto.

The former Deputy President said that he will call Mr Kenyatta whom he has not talked with for months to start the transition process.

"I will be putting a call to my good friend President Uhuru Kenyatta, I haven’t talked with him for months, but will do a call to him so that we have a conversation on the process of transition," said Dr Ruto.

"I know he worked hard in his own way but the people of Kenya have made a decision. We have no issue with the democratic choice of any Kenyan."

The next President of Kenya, set to be sworn in on Tuesday next week, said that even though Mr Kenyatta decided not to support him and backed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, he holds no grudges as it was his democratic right.

"When I chose to support Uhuru Kenyatta I did not give him conditions that he must support me, I made that very clear. I take no offence that he decided to choose and support someone else. We will remain friends as we have been in the context of where we are and we look forward to building on the foundation that is already there in the many issues that I worked with him and be able to take Kenya to the next level."

The Kenya Kwanza boss said he will also speak with Raila Odinga whom he described as his "worthy competitor" and discuss issues to do with how they will work together as the Executive and the opposition.

"So that we can begin to contextualise how we are going to work together for the people of Kenya. Those of us who will be working in the executive and Azimio team in the opposition," he said.

At the same time, Ruto dismissed any "handshake" plans with Mr Odinga like his predecessor did.

"I believe in the rule of law, I don’t believe in handshake stories," he said. "I believe in an accountable government held to account by a responsible opposition."

On retirement, Dr Ruto said he will accord Mr Odinga his respect when he decides to retire from active politics.

"When our good friend Raila Odinga retires, also we will give him the respect he deserves as a Kenyan leader who has made a huge contribution to the democracy of our nation," said the President-Elect.

Dr Ruto said that he will complete all the projects that are still pending and will start making calls to government officers to start planning on delivering on his promises.

"We will hit the ground running," said the President-Elect.