ODM leader Raila Odinga has told off Deputy President William Ruto over his plans to set up a parallel voter tallying center and instead urged him to prepare for defeat.
Speaking in Nyakach, Kisumu County on Friday, March 11, the former prime minister exuded confidence he will floor his main competitor in the August presidential race in a transparent manner.
“I’ve heard you (Ruto) lamenting to Americans that Kenya is planning to rig the presidential election in August. I also understand that you’re planning to set up a parallel tallying center [to protect your votes from being stolen]. Rest assured that I’ll defeat you in the polls,” Raila said.
Addressing Kenyans in the United Kingdom on Monday, March 7, the deputy president said he would set up a parallel tallying center to check the transmission of presidential results from polling stations to the election headquarters in the August 9 polls.
He said these days after he alleged that there is a scheme to rig the August 9 presidential votes in favor of ODM leader Raila Odinga who is his main competitor.
But in a rejoinder, the ODM leader termed DP Ruto as a ‘lightweight political kid’, and dared the second in command to face off with him if indeed he is a man enough.
Addressing mourners at Kanga Primary on Thursday, March 3, during the funeral of Mzee Jared Osiany, the father of Industrialisation CAS David Osiany, Raila challenged Ruto to face him if indeed he is man enough.
“He (William Ruto) has been constantly referring to me as a ‘state project’. If he is man enough, let him face off with me on August 9, and he will know that he was once my political student,” Raila said.