President William Ruto has weighed in on the recent general election in Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu emerged victorious, garnering 97.66% of the total votes cast.
Speaking during an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, 9, President Ruto took a subtle jibe at Tanzania, saying it is impossible for any presidential candidate in Kenya to secure 96 percent of the votes.
President Ruto described Kenya as a democratic nation, emphasizing that democracy is the best system of governance and urging leaders to uphold and embrace it.
“It is not for me to judge Tanzania, in a democracy, for example, in Kenya, you can never get 96 percent of the votes. Every country has a way of doing its stuff, but I think democracy is the best governance system. It is not tidy, it is not always easy because there are all manner of moving parts, but I think we must work together to ensure we protect democracy,” said Ruto.
He continued, “We should stick to democracy, and we must always give ourselves the opportunity to listen to alternative views without injecting violence into the equation.”
Tanzania went into the ballot on Wednesday, October 29, in an election which was marred by violence.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday, November 1, announced that President Samia Suluhu had won the election.
INEC said that President Suluhu, who vied on a Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket, garnered over 31 million votes, representing 97.66% of the total ballots cast, securing her a decisive victory.
“Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan of CCM got 31,913,866 votes, being 97.66% of the votes. In observance of the relevant constitution and the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania, I declare Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan as having been elected the president of the United Republic of Tanzania,” INEC chairman Jacobs Mwambegele announced.
The results came in the wake of violent protests reported in the country as civilians took to the streets to demand the integrity of the vote.
CHADEMA’s Tundu Lissu was locked out of the polls and got incarcerated for treason charges. ACT-Wazalendo’s Luhaga Mpina was also blocked from contesting in the election.
On Monday, November 3, President Ruto congratulated President Suluhu for winning the election.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I extend sincere congratulations to Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan on her re-election in the General Election held on 29 October 2025,” Ruto stated.
President Suluhu was also sworn in to office on November 3 in Dodoma. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki represented President Ruto during the event.
