The ODM leader Raila Odinga has dismissed claims by Deputy President William Ruto that there are plans to rig the August 9 presidential elections.
Raila termed the remarks by DP Ruto as reckless, irresponsible, and uncalled for especially at a time when Kenya’ss democratic space has opened up.
In a statement on Thursday, March 3 through his presidential campaign secretariat, Raila said that Ruto’s remarks are only meant to cause tribal tensions ahead of the August polls.
“(William) Ruto’s wild allegations that there is a plan to rig the upcoming election and claims of intimidation from the government are aimed at fanning emotions and creating tribal tensions ahead of the August elections
“The DP is a man who has mastered the art of putting on a show with a characteristic trait of lowering his voice, projecting himself as a humble individual before engaging in high-level lying,” Raila said.
The former prime minister opined that Ruto’s claims only clearly show that the yet-to-be registered Kenya Kwanza Alliance coalition party has sensed defeat in the coming election and is only looking for excuses to dispute the outcome of the August poll.
“IEBC is an independent body; going to press with the claims of rigging elections when multiple political parties have vouched to back Raila Odinga’s presidential bid is enough testament that this group (William Ruto’s group) has panicked. Prepare to accept, and move” Raila went on.
Raila further accused Ruto of doublespeak by saying, “the DP cannot choose when democracy works and it doesn’t, throwing our hard-earned freedoms around with reckless abandon,”
Sentiment by the ODM leader come after DP Ruto sensationally claimed that there are plans being orchestrated by government officials to rig the August presidnetial election.
Speaking at the Karson Institute, Maryland on Wednesday, March 3, Deputy President William Ruto had appealed to the global community to intervene and stop attempts to rig the presidential election.
“There is a huge pushback by citizens against any attempts to choreograph the next dispensation. We want to make our choices without being chaperoned, blackmailed, or intimidated,” said the DP.
“We would have expected that we would be able to do this (election)without all the baggage of blackmail and intimidation that is going on at the moment, but unfortunately that is where we are,” Ruo added.
