Why Raila Odinga quit Kenya's elections

National Super Alliance (NASA) Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga has withdrawn from Kenya’s fresh Presidential elections scheduled for October 26th.

Raila cited lack of commitment and goodwill by the electoral body and Jubilee government to hold free and fair elections.

Before Raila’s withdrew from the race there were however clear signs that his name would not be on the ballot box and Business Insider SSA explores these

Mixed Campaign Strategy

After the Supreme Court verdict which nullified President Kenyatta’s win, Raila Odinga and NASA principals failed to clearly elaborate a new campaign strategy and message to sell to the electorate. Resorting to press conferences and a call to street action to drive through demands for a change in personnel at the IEBC, it was obvious participation from NASA was doubtful.

IEBC REFORMS

Odinga and his party released what it termed " irreducible minimums" in its demand for changes without which it would not participate. With 16 days to go before the election, none of the demands, chief among which was the resignation of the CEO of the IEBC,Ezra Chiloba had been met while several attempts by the IEBC to broker compromise between the two main parties ended in failure.

Amendemnt of Electoral Laws

NASA's opponents Jubilee used their majority in Parliament to attempt amendments to the country's electoral process including entrenched regulations on election tallying and declaration of a winner. Odinga and his party had a say but not enough votes. It was a lost battle from the start

Lack of Support of International community

Odinga lost faith in the international community as a neutral arbiter of the election. It is no secret that there had been pressure from international bodies and leaders to convince him to keep faith with the process. This was a betrayal in the eyes of Odinga.