Faith Nyasuguta
The leader of opposition in Kenya, Raila Odinga, has affirmed that his political coalition does not recognise William Ruto as the President of Kenya and has dubbed the new Kenyan government as “illegitimate“.
Ruto beat him in last August’s poll, but Mr Odinga – who appeared at Nairobi’s Kamukunji Stadium alongside his running mate Martha Karua, aMing other allies – repeated claims that the results were manipulated. The claims had already been rejected in court.
He revealed that he and his movement “reject the 2022 election result totally“, which was received with great cheers and applause from an adoring crowd.
“We cannot and we don’t recognise the Kenya Kwanza (Ruto’s) regime,” he continued.
Last year’s election was Odinga’s fifth shot at the presidency, but he was beaten by Ruto who was declared winner in the absence of four election commissioners who dissented and accused the commission chairman of delivering what they called “opaque” results.
Raila then rejected the results and took the case to court .
However, the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s victory. The aftermath has been dramatic with accusations and counter accusations from time to time.
Election boss Wafula Chebukati has claimed he was under intense pressure from unspecified forces to announce different results, and most recently, President Ruto sensationally said there had been an assassination plot against Mr Chebukati.
After Ruto’s win, some of Mr Odinga’s allies in his Azimio Coalition have since decamped and declared their support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Others have remained steadfast with him in this renewed fight for what they call electoral justice.
The next general election is four years away, however the main opposition is already calling for sweeping electoral reforms, and is calling for the current administration to leave office.
