The Azimio One Kenya party leader Raila Odinga declined an invitation by President-elect William Ruto to his inauguration, stating that he is out of the country.
Raila restated his previous position that the election process conducted by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was flawed. He went ahead to say although he accepted the rulling of the Supreme Court on upholding Ruto’s victory and nullifying the nine petitions he presented, the court was not based on the facts and the law.
The former Prime minister did not concede defeat and therefore said outcome of the election has not been decided promising to announce his next move once he returns to the country.
The statement read:
“I received a letter and a telephone call from Ruto inviting me to his inauguration set for tomorrow, September 13, 2022. I regret however that I will not be available for the inauguration because I am out of the country and I also have other serious concerns.”
“First, I believe that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the body in charge of our elections, did not conduct a free and fair election. For these reasons, the outcome of the election remains indeterminate. Once I return to the country, I will, jointly with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leaders, announce our next steps as we seek to deepen and strengthen our democracy.”
“We can only do so if we reform and transform the key institutions that are charged with protecting and advancing our democracy.”
In the meantime, I applaud and thank our supporters and Kenyans who came out in large numbers to vote for us in August 9, 2022.”