Ruto did not win says Raila, spells out new demands

Raila was escorted by Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Roots Party leader George Wajackoya, former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among others.

The Azimio leader said besides winning big in ODM's traditional strongholds, it was in Mt Kenya that grand election fraud transpired.

He claimed that UDA only beat Azimio in Rift Valley but failed to emerge victorious in other regions in the country.

"It was our performance in the Mt Kenya region where we broke all records. The people in the mountain voted for us like they've never done before," said Raila.

Possible collusion

Kioni disputed the 800,000 votes garnered by Raila in Mt Kenya claiming that the alleged evidence from the whistleblower show that Raila scooped 2,607,957 votes from the region.

"Raila beat Ruto in Kiambu, Nyeri and Kirinyaga. We have enough people in Mt Kenya who will come forward and fight for their rights," he said.

Raila claimed that the state has captured the Supreme Court and the electoral commission.

Raila Odinga's motorcade making its way along Nairobi's Eastlands area ahead of a rally at Kamukunji grounds on January 23, 2023. [Samson Wire, Standard]

The Azimio also hit out at Ruto over claims that there was a plot to kidnap and murder Chebukati during the 2022 election. The ODM leader accused the president of playing politics and stated that it was out of taste for a president to make such allegation in public without providing evidence.

"If you say there is evidence, then take it to the police; let them do investigations and let the culprit face the law. There is nothing like that. All the allegations were politics," said Raila.

He hit out at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who last year claimed that Raila's public meetings are a desperate attempt to force a handshake. The ODM leader stated that a handshake with Ruto is out of the question.

"I don't want a handshake and there will be no handshake."

The ODM leader stated that what Kenyans are seeing now in the opposition is just the beginning.

Azimio has now slated another public meeting at Jacaranda grounds in Nairobi on January 29 to speak on matters bedevilling the country and reveal more information on last year's elections conduct.

And speaking in Kiambu, on Monday, Ruto hit back at Raila saying that Azimio's public rallies are geared at achieving political interests.

"Political rallies by Odinga and his team is a tactical scheme to push their hands in the government, which I will not agree," said Ruto.