Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei now wants ODM leader Raila Odinga to declare that he will concede defeat should he lose in the 2022 elections.
The ODM leader is today expected to declare whether or not he will be vying for the hotly anticipated 2022 presidential election during the Azimio la Umoja fête where several leaders and delegates have been invited.
Speaking on Friday, December 10, when she appeared on Citizen TV, Shollei who once accused Raila of recycling his bid for the presidency said the declaration by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake partner that he will be giving his fifth stab at the presidency is not news anymore.
According to her, it is obvious that Raila will be on the ballot adding that the bigger announcement Raila can make is to assure Kenyans that he will accept defeat if he doesn’t win.
“It’s obvious that Raila is running for president. I am however hoping that Raila will announce that he will accept defeat if he doesn’t win,” Shollei said.
Shollei said the former premier has a habit of protesting election results after every General Election.
She said in 1997, Raila protested the presidential results despite not being among the first runner up.
“In 1997, Raila did not even accept defeat yet the race was between retired President Mwai Kibaki and late President Daniel Moi,
“Moi had 40 percent, Kibaki 31 percent but Raila with less than 10 percent still did not concede defeat,” she added.
Similar calls were made by Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua who in September 2021, challenged Raila to promise not to swear himself in as the people’s president should he lose the presidential race to Deputy President William Ruto.
“I urge Raila Odinga to promise to willingly accept defeat if we hold elections and it turns out that he has been defeated by William Ruto. Secondly, he will not bring violence and protests and destroy the property of the people,” Gachagua told mourners in Nyeri.