Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga has demanded that former President Uhuru Kenyatta publicly explain his claim that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election. On September 22, Uhuru Kenyatta suggested Raila had been rigged out of the presidency. Oburu responded on September 24, warning that the belated statement raises more questions than it answers. Oburu posed three pointed questions to Kenyatta, demanding to know why the revelation came four years later and why power was handed to William Ruto if Raila had truly won.
Raila Odinga lost the August 2022 election to President William Ruto, receiving 6.9 million votes against Ruto's 7.1 million. It was Raila's fifth failed presidential bid, following unsuccessful attempts in 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017. Despite this, ODM accepted the outcome and chose to move the country forward after exhausting every constitutional avenue. The party had paid a steep political price during its alliance with Kenyatta following the 2018 Handshake agreement.
Oburu said ODM made enormous sacrifices in its political relationship with President Kenyatta. Following the 2018 Handshake, the party lowered its political ambitions in the interest of national unity and stability. ODM demanded neither Cabinet nor administrative positions in President Kenyatta's government, despite its political strength. Ahead of the 2022 election, the party further ceded ground on key elective seats to consolidate support behind Raila's presidential candidacy.
Oburu laid out three direct questions for the former president. First, he asked why the disclosure had come four years after the alleged electoral injustice. Second, he questioned how Uhuru could have believed Raila won yet still oversaw the transfer of power to Ruto. Third, he challenged Kenyatta to clarify what he expected Kenyans to do with the information at this point in time.
Oburu warned against political opportunism, saying the memory of Raila Odinga and the sacrifices of 2022 should not be weaponised for electoral gain. He stressed that elections concern the sovereign will of the people and the legitimacy of government. Oburu added that Kenyatta's statement touches a raw nerve within ODM and among millions of Kenyans who stood with Raila Odinga.
The ODM leader said that having reopened this matter, President Kenyatta should tell the country the whole story. Oburu emphasized that it was of no use for Uhuru to revisit a matter long forgotten. He urged Kenyatta to understand the implications of his statement and to provide clarity on the 2022 election outcome.
Raila Odinga's family has also reacted to Uhuru's comments, expressing dissatisfaction with his remarks. The family stated that they are not happy with Uhuru's decision to revisit the 2022 election outcome. This development has sparked a heated debate on the 2022 presidential election, with various stakeholders weighing in on the matter.
Key points
- Oburu Oginga demands answers from Uhuru Kenyatta on his claim that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.
- ODM made significant sacrifices in its alliance with President Kenyatta following the 2018 Handshake agreement.
- Oburu warns against using the memory of Raila Odinga for electoral gain.
