Speaking during a televised interview on Tuesday, June,28 Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga committed to the outcome of the August election even if he lost to William Ruto.
The ODM leader suggested that only a poor sportsman does not concede defeat in any contest.
Raila’s commitment came after increased pressure from his rival and UDA presidential flag bearer William Ruto urged him to make a public pronouncement that he will accept the August results unconditionally.
But speaking during a debate on Citizen TV on Wednesday, June 29, Uasin Gishu County Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei expressed doubts over Raila’s commitment.
Shollei, a close ally of the deputy president William Ruto, revealed that Kenya Kwanza Alliance was already preparing for a Raila Odinga presidential election petition meaning the ODM leader will not concede defeat if Ruto wins the presidency.
Shollei opined that it was strange for someone who has never accepted defeat to promise that he will unconditionally accept defeat by his main opponent.
“I will easy accept result’ says the man (Raila Odinga) who has never accepted defeat in any single election and as Kenya Kwanza we preparing his election petition,” Shollei said.
She recalled how Raila has four times disputed presidential election results during 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017 editions claiming he had been rigged out.
“On four different occasions, 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017, Raila Odinga outright denied and rejected election results. Every single time he has run. The one thing he has never done is accept electoral defeat. We dare hope he keeps his word to accept defeat in 2022.” Shollei said a Facebook post.
The ODM leader had said if he loses the August presidential election, he would comfortably congratulate the winner of the polls
“I am the sportsman between me and him and I know that asiyekubali kushindwa sio mshindani, He who doesn’t concede defeat is not a sportsperson).”If I lose in the August election. I will be the first to congratulate the winner.” Raila said.
The ODM leader who will be making his fifth stab at the presidency had previously been noncommittal on whether he will accept the outcome of the August presdiential elections should he lose out.
At one point the former prime minister suggested that he will only accept results if the elections are free and fair which attracted criticism from Ruto’s side.
“He was categorical that only “IF” the election is free and fair and he wins or loses will he accept the result,
“The fairness or lack of, in an election is not and cannot be determined by any candidate’s subjective opinion of the results. Kenya has institutions to determine the validity of the election.” Kenya Kwanza Alliance said in a statement on March 17, 2022.
