Kenyan opposition leader Raila Amollo Odinga has declined President-elect Dr William Samoei Ruto’s invitation to Tuesday, September 13 swearing-in ceremony at Kasarani.
Revealing that Ruto had not only written a letter inviting him to his inauguration but also called him on phone for the same purpose, Odinga made it clear that he would not attend.
He also confirmed that he was out of the country but emphasized that he would not have attended even if he were in Kenya.
“[On Monday, September 12, 2022] evening, I received a letter and a telephone call from H.E Dr. William Ruto inviting me to his inauguration set for [today] September 13, 2022,” wrote the Azimio La Umoja leader.
“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.”
The veteran Kenyan opposition leader said he was satisfied with the decisions made by Wafula Chebukati’s IEBC and Martha Koome’s Supreme Court of Kenya.
“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,” he further wrote in his official statement on the matter.
“Secondly, I believe that the ruling of the Supreme Court was not based on the facts and the law, even though we accepted it. For these reasons, the outcome of the election remains indeterminate.”
He then saluted his voters and promised to unveil his next course of action on return to Kenya.
“In the meantime, I applaud and thank our supporters and Kenyans who came out in large numbers to vote for us on August 9th, 2022,” he noted.
“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.”
It should be remembered that Raila Odinga rejected the presidential election results announced by the IEBC. He went to court and lost on all grounds but said he would respect the decision of the highest court in the land. (Read Story Here).
His political ally and outgoing Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta also later said Raila Odinga was his president but he would hand over power to William Ruto with a big smile. (Read Story Here).
You can see how much William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, governors, senators, MCAs and other elected leaders will be earning as salaries every month HERE.
