Obama congratulates Kenyatta on election as Kenya's president

WASHINGTON, March 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday offered congratulations to Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as president of Kenya, urging Kenyan people to peacefully accept the results of the election.

"On behalf of the President and the people of the United States, we congratulate Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as president of Kenya. We also congratulate the people of Kenya on the peaceful conduct of the election and commend Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court's decision," the White House said in a statement.

Kenya's Supreme Court on Saturday upheld Kenyatta as the duly elected president of Kenya after reaching an unanimous decision that the March 4 elections were free and fair.

The ruling came after Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kenyatta's rival, filed a petition at the Court disputing Kenyatta's victory. Kenyatta won 50.07 percent of the ballots, against 43.4 percent by Odinga, to avoid a run-off with his leading challenger.

"We urge all Kenyans to peacefully accept the results of the election. The electoral process and the peaceful adjudication of disputes in the Kenyan legal system are testaments to the progress Kenya has made in strengthening its democratic institutions, and the desire of the Kenyan people to move their country forward," the White House said.

The United States called for Kenyans to come together to fully implement the political, institutional, and accountability reforms envisioned in the Kenyan constitution, the statement said.

The White House applauded the relationship between the United States and Kenya as strong partners for the past 50 years. "Our relationship is based on a shared commitment to democracy, security, and opportunity. The United States remains committed to our long-standing partnership with the Kenyan people," it said.