A petition challenging the election results has been filed by Raila Odinga, the 1st runner-up in the recently concluded Kenyan Presidential elections.
Raila Odinga, the first runner-up in the just concluded Kenyan Presidential elections, has filed a petition challenging the election results in the Supreme Court.
According to one of his lawyers Daniel Maanzo, the petition was filed on Monday. Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja (Aspiration to Unite) coalition claimed it had enough evidence in the petition to prove misconduct by the electoral commission after the August 9th presidential election that resulted in a narrow win for Deputy President William Ruto.
This was Raila Odinga’s fifth time running for the presidential spot and third time challenging his loss in the same elections through the Supreme Court, having filed a case after the last two elections in 2013 and 2017.
In 2017, the Supreme Court ordered a re-election to be held, which was boycotted by Odinga who again lost to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a close tie election, William Ruto was named the country’s 5th president after he garnered 50.49% of the vote against Odinga’s 48.5% of the vote.
The deputy president won in his first run, beating former prime minister Raila Odinga and other candidates including David Mwaire who earlier conceded defeat, and George Wajackoyah.
Addressing the media shortly after his announcement, Ruto thanked the country’s Electoral Commission for ensuring there was no rigging throughout the whole election process.
Ruto also gave hope to his competitors saying that there was no loser. He said Kenya as the entire country was victorious in potraying a good image to countries that were on the watch.
“The people of Kenya have won because we have raised the political bar. The people of Kenya are the biggest winners. We have raised the bar, and I want to thank my countrymen. Gratitude to the millions of Kenyans who refused to be boxed into tribal sentiments,” he said.
“We are very proud of Wafula Chebutaki. He put the results of this election on a public portal for all Kenyans to access. That became the game changer in this election.”
In addition, he promised he will work closely with all the leaders in Kenya in a bid to fashion a country where no specific citizen or individual is left behind.
William Ruto also promised the Kenyans that he will run an open, transparent, and democratic leadership ensuring equal rights for all citizens.
“I will work with the opposition to provide oversight to my leadership. I want to promise the people of Kenya whatever way they voted; this will be their government. Our country is at a point where we need all hands on deck to move it forward. We must work together for a prosperous functional Kenya,” he added.
