On Wednesday, July 6, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party flag bearer Raila Odinga threatened to give the August 9, presidential polls a wide berth.
Raila who is vying for the fifth time said he will not participate in the elections if Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will not provide a physical voter register.
He alleged that the Wafula Chebukati-led commission was hiding behind the use of a biometric register to interfere with the credibility of the August polls.
But in a statement on Wednesday, July 6, Deputy President William Ruto who is rooting for pure electronic voting slammed Raila for threatening to boycott the elections.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential flag bearer said his main challenger in the State House race Raila Odinga has sensed defeat and that he is preparing the ground to reject the results.
“They are in a panic. Their true colors. They are now threatening everyone so that they reject election results,” William Ruto said.
Ruto’s remarks were corroborated by Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Boss Shollei who claimed that Raila’s demand for a manual register was a clear indication that he is in panic mode.
Shollei who was speaking on Citizen TV on Wednesday, July 6, said she was not surprised by Raila’s demands adding he has been raising similar demands in his four attempts at the presidency.
“I think Raila is just being Raila… he calls ultimatums. Remember, this is the same Raila who said no IEBC overhaul, no elections,
“He has been doing that…rioting. I think he is going into panic mode and he is beginning to raise the issues,” the legislator said.
