On Tuesday, June 28, the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga said he was willing to concede defeat should he lose to Deputy President William Ruto in the August polls due 39 days.
The ODM leader said he will conceed defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship, citing the popular Swahili saying ‘asiyekubali kushindwa sio mshindani’ to mean a good sportsperson loses honorably.
The move by the former Prime Minister to commit to accepting the loss came following frequent calls by the Kenya Kwanza brigade wanting the former Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga to publicly commit to publicly concede defeat.
Speaking during the Tharaka Nithi economic forum meeting on Wednesday, June 29, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential flag bearer William Ruto lauded Raia’s commitment to accepting the outcome of the presidential election.
While referring to Raila as ‘Kitendawili man (riddles man), the 2022 presidential front runner exuded confidence that this year’s General Election will be peaceful because Raila, who hardly concedes defeat, is ready to concead.
“For the first time the ‘Kitendawili’ man stated that if he is defeated in the August 9 elections, he will accept defeat and go home,”
“For the first time I want to congratulate my competitor for accepting and committing that for the first time he will respect the outcome of the election and will concede when he loses,” William Ruto said.
Earlier on, Kivumbi.co.ke had reported that Raila who has a tendency of refuting presidential election results said he was a sportsman adding that he will be the first to congratulate the winner in the event he does not win.
“I am the sportsman between me and him and I know that asiyekubali kushindwa sio mushindani, (He who doesn’t concede defeat is not a sportsman),
“If I lose in the August election. I will be the first to congratulate the winner,” Raila said.
