Raila Odinga withdraws from election

mary kulundu

October 10, 2017 4:22 PM

The former Prime Minister noted that withdrawal from the race is in the best interest for Kenya.

NASA Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga has withdrawn from the October 26 Presidential Election.

"After deliberating on our position in respect of the upcoming election, considering the interests of the people of Kenya, the region and the world at large, we believe that all will be best serves by NASA vacating its presidential candidature in the election scheduled for 26 October 2017," the statement read in part.

Odinga faulted Jubilee Government and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for not adhering to the Supreme Court ruling that annulled President Kenyatta's re-election.

He noted that the two parties were interested in a sham election.

"On its part, the Jubilee administration’s proposed amendment to the election laws demonstrates that it has no intention of competition on a level playing field. The only election Jubilee administration is interested in is one that it must win, even unlawfully.

He accused Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto of pushing amendments in the Electoral Law simply to favour them during the polls.

Both Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto have gloated that they have the numbers in parliament to amend even the

"Constitution. The Jubilee Vice-Chairman is on record stating that Kenya requires a benevolent dictator and proceeded to exhort Uhuru Kenyatta to exercise dictatorial powers. These utterances provide the motive for the blatant across the board rigging of the August 8 elections— it was to secure the majorities that Jubilee needs to overrun our Constitution.

"Kenyatta and Ruto are beneficiaries, believers and defenders of the old order. They intend to overthrow our new constitutional order and re-install the old order. The over 300 elections petitions filed, majority against Jubilee are evidence that this claimed majority is fraudulent," he said.

mary kulundu