The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has responded to former President Uhuru Kenyatta's recent claim that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election. In a statement dated September 24, 2026, ODM party leader Senator Oburu Oginga said Kenyatta's remarks had revived a painful chapter in Kenya's political history and raised fresh questions over the events surrounding the 2022 transition.
Uhuru made the claim during a Jubilee Party meeting in Nairobi on September 22, saying he remained convinced that Odinga had won the August 9, 2022 presidential election. He cited the performance of the coalition backing Odinga in parliamentary and county contests as part of the basis for his position. Official results, however, declared Ruto the winner with 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 per cent, against Odinga's 6,942,930 votes, or 48.85 per cent.
ODM said it had held the view at the time that Odinga had won, but accepted the outcome after the constitutional process challenging the presidential result was exhausted. The party questioned the timing of Kenyatta's remarks, asking why he had waited until 2026 to speak openly about his belief that Odinga had won. "First, why is this revelation important now, four years later, and not when the said electoral injustice occurred?"
ODM turned to Kenyatta's role in the handover of power, asking why his administration facilitated the transition to Ruto if he was convinced that Odinga had secured the presidency. "Second, if he was convinced that Raila Odinga had won, why did his government facilitate the transfer of the instruments of power to a person he believed had not won?"
The party also wants Kenyatta to explain what he believes Kenyans should do with the information now that the election was settled through the constitutional process. "Third, what exactly does President Kenyatta expect the Kenyan people to do with this information today?" ODM said the matter could not simply be treated as another political argument because presidential elections determine who exercises authority on behalf of the electorate.
Uhuru's comments have since opened a wider political debate, with leaders from different sides taking opposing positions on his account of the 2022 election. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has supported Kenyatta's assertion that Odinga won the election. UDA leaders, however, have questioned the former president's decision to revisit the issue years after the disputed election.
ODM warned against turning Odinga's death and political legacy into ammunition for present-day political contests. "The 2022 election and the sacrifices of our departed Party Leader must not be reduced to material for contemporary vote-winning propaganda," the party said.
Key points
- ODM questions Uhuru Kenyatta's claim that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.
- ODM demands an explanation for why Uhuru allowed the transfer of power to President William Ruto.
- Uhuru's comments have sparked a wider political debate on the 2022 election.
