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Ruto Weighs In On Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Near Unanimous Victory

November 10, 2025

5 min read

Kenya, 10 November 2025 – Kenyan President William Ruto has said each country has its own way of managing electoral affairs even as he appeared to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's landslide election win.

In a candid interview on Al Jazeera's Talk to Al Jazeera programme aired on Sunday, President Ruto appeared to sidestep direct criticism of the 29 October poll while underscoring the need for transparent electoral processes across East Africa.

Pressed by host James Bays to comment on a near-unanimous victory of about 98% of valid votes cast in favour of Hassan, as declared by Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he said, “While I don’t want to indulge myself in matters the Tanzanian president can handle herself, it is impossible in a genuine democracy like Kenya.”

The remarks come amid regional unease over Tanzania's election and with families in Kenya reporting about death or illegal detention of their kins who at the period of election, were residing in Tanzania.

Hassan’s victory of 97.66% of the vote is the highest margin in the country's history.

Mainland Tanzania has been a beacon of peace in Africa, until things went amok as demonstrators took to the streets in protest of shadowy electoral processes and harassment of opposition figures and parties, including Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), and ACT-Wazalendo.

Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA was incarcerated since April 2025, and faced treason charges as the country was heading to the elections, while Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was barred to contest presidency over alleged political party membership technicality.

CHADEMA ha decried the result as a "mockery of democracy", citing an internet blackout, the barring of key candidates, and violent crackdowns on protests that left many dead.

A Kenyan teacher, John Ogutu, is among those who were killed. Another Kenyan killed is Albert Kamala.

The government acknowledged that people lost their lives, but President Hassan on 3 November 2025, shortly after she took oath of office at a military base in the capital Dodoma, said there were some foreign elements, who took part in the protests.

At least two families in Kenya have reported losing their loved ones, who were in Tanzania.

The African Union Elections Observer Mission (AUEOM) in its preliminary report noted that the October polls were neither free nor fair. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) also announced that the just-concluded elections in Tanzania were flawed.

The SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) said that a delegation sent to Tanzania since the pre-election period observed a myriad of anomalies that impeded a smooth electoral process.

Former Botswana President Ian Khama said that the older generation must learn to read the writings on the wall.

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“It is regrettable to see a few African leaders clinge on power and rig elections as if they are the only gift from God on their electorate,” Khama said, during the event to mark two years since the establishment of Pan-Africanism Institute at Lukenya University in Kenya, where he was the Chief Guest.

The event was also attended by Kenya’s former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

Analysts view Ruto’s comment as an about-turn to manage reputational damage after on 3 November 2025 he issued a warm message, hailing Hassan's win as a "historic moment" for the region and calling for peace and respect for democratic institutions. It has fuelled speculation that Ruto – who congratulated Suluhu shortly after the results – harbours private reservations about the process.

He dispatched Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to her inauguration in Dodoma on 3 November 2025 held at a military base amid heightened security.

Yet, Ruto's absence from the ceremony – alongside snubs from other East African leaders – underscored the poll's controversy.

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema is allegedly facing backlash over backstepping on his campaign promises and also attending the swearing in of Hassan, whose victory has been challenged as “illegitimate” by defenders of democracy and activists.

Meanwhile, Tanzania's newly inaugurated Vice President, Emmanuel Nchimbi on Sunday said normalcy has returned in the country and that visitors are invited, allaying fears that it is an “abductors’ jungle”.

Addressing the nation's future amid recent post-election tensions, Nchimbi emphasised that the government under Hassan is committed to national dialogue as a cornerstone for peace and unity.

He further said that the government would initiate a structured process to foster inclusive conversations across the country.

"The government of Tanzania will start the process of initiating dialogue to promote peace and unity for the benefit of the citizens and the country. We know that there are millions of Tanzanians, who fully support the government, and a few dissenting voices. All must be heard for the country to move forward," Nchimbi stated.

He highlighted President Hassan's mission to ensure that every voice is heard, positioning this dialogue as a proactive step towards healing divisions exposed by the violent protests following the 29 October 2025 general election.

The elections, which saw Hassan and Nchimbi, both of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) secure victory as head of state and second in command respectively, were marred by clashes that drew international concern.