Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party flag bearer Raila Odinga has asked Kenyans not to take a softer line when the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Raila, whose fifth presidential attempt was sealed after the Supreme Court quashed a petition he had filed seeking to invalidate the election of William Ruto promised Kenyans that they will remember him when he will have been gone.
“We have come from far and you should not relent when this country is going to the dogs. One day when I am gone you will remember these words that I’m telling you,” Raila said.
Raila garnered 6.1 million votes losing to William Ruto of the UDA party under Kenya Kwanza Coalition who garnered 7.1 million votes in the August 9, presidential election.
Raila’s words were echoed by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta who faulted the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for stilling his victory.
Uhuru, who had endorsed the former Prime Minister to succeed him further, accused a section of Kenyans saying they did not deny Raila the presidency but denied themselves an opportunity to unite the already divided country.
“Don’t think that you have denied Raila,” Kenyatta told Kenyans, “You have denied yourself the opportunity of bringing the country together.”
Kenyatta, who had made it clear that he preferred Odinga to succeed him but he lost the election to William Ruto stated that even though he will hand over the instruments of power to his deputy, Raila will forever remain his president.
“I will hand over power smiling because it is constitutional. Aluta continua but I will leave knowing Raila is my leader,” the outgoing president said during an Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party Parliamentary Group meeting at Masai Lodge.