The Mt Kenya Times 
Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Raila Odinga
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Upon being challenged, he would not reveal the name or any details of the so-called whistle blower. How did he expect Kenyans to believe this person existed? Why did he fail to use this evidence during his petition at SCoK?
- This aside, Raila stated. I have come back to fight for my rights and those of millions of Kenyans who voted for me. Mr Ruto (he would recognize him as the president) is ‘occupying my seat’.
- If he fails to leave State House for me on his own volition, we shall march there and force him out. Having exhausted legal means, this time Raila had no option other than to lead street demonstrations.
I have been closely monitoring and analysing the unfolding political developments since President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua assumed power.
Initially, the leadership of the the opposition under the banner of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition appeared to have grudgingly accepted the defeat and ready to move on. This is after the Supreme Court of Kenya (SCoK) dismissed thier petition and upheld the Dr Ruto’s victory.
But five months later, Azimio leader Raila resurfaced and dropped what he termed as a bombshell. He alleged a whistleblower ‘working with IEBC’ and ‘who was stationed at the national tallying center at the Bomas of Kenya’ has presented to him a dossier showing that he had won the elections.
Upon being challenged, he would not reveal the name or any details of the so-called whistle blower. How did he expect Kenyans to believe this person existed? Why did he fail to use this evidence during his petition at SCoK?
This aside, Raila stated. I have come back to fight for my rights and those of millions of Kenyans who voted for me.
Mr Ruto (he would recognize him as the president) is ‘occupying my seat’.
If he fails to leave State House for me on his own volition, we shall march there and force him out.
Having exhausted legal means, this time Raila had no option other than to lead street demonstrations.
This is not the first time Raila would make claims of election rigging and incite his supporters to participate in protests that always turned chaotic, bloody and destructive.
In the aftermath of 2007 and 2013 and 2017 general elections, respectively, he had played a similar card.
Then, he had managed to blackmail and arm-twist the incumbent head of states-Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.
This cleared the way for him to sit on the high table where the national cake was being shared.
It followed that his role as a whistle blower would fizzle out immediately after taking his share.
This time, he has once again succeeded to drive our country into political crisis.
While taking cognizant that he took the oath of office to protect the lives of Kenyans and their properties, President William Ruto has since stepped in to restore normalcy and stability.
But unlike his predecessors, he has demonstrated that he want to deal differently with this recurring challenge. The bigger picture is to ensure the matter is sorted out once and for all.
His strategy is two-fold. First, the bipartisan talks must be held within the parameters of law and constitution.
Secondly, there is no room for a ‘nusu mkate’ or a ‘handshake’ government.
Well, the reconstitution of IEBC, particularly the selection panel that will recruit the commission’s new chairperson and other six commissioners, is one of Azimio’s key demands.
Yes, I agree that perhaps there are grey areas that need to be addressed.
However, the question is. How come Raila’s bitterness and war with IEBC always rear an ugly head after the elections?
What if he is one who had been declared the winner? I’m sure he would immediately congratulate the commission for doing a superb job.
To me, it is a bad precedent to replace the commissioners and push for unnecessary electoral reforms after every election cycle.
If Raila did not trust the commission, one would expect him to boycott the election.
The constitutional mandate of the IEBC is to count and tally votes cast and thereafter declare the winner.
This would happen after Kenyans, who are registered as voters, excercise their constitutional and democratic rights of voting for the candidates of their choice.
With this, I think the Kenya Kwanza side has a point. The issue of reconstituting the IEBC shouldn’t be given much attention during the bipartisan talks.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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