Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated his confidence in Raila Odinga's 2022 presidential campaign, insisting that Odinga was the rightful winner of the election. Speaking at the Jubilee Party headquarters in Nairobi, Kenyatta described the party's backing of Odinga's bid as a principled decision rooted in national interest. He emphasized that the party's support for Odinga was not driven by political opportunism but a desire to maintain peace and move the country forward.
Kenyatta pushed back against claims that he withheld state support from Odinga's campaign. He suggested that Odinga's successful campaign was undermined by manipulation, which denied him victory. According to Kenyatta, the vote tallies on the ground contradicted the officially declared outcome, which saw Odinga lose to President William Ruto by about 200,000 votes. Ruto garnered approximately 7.1 million votes, while Odinga secured around 6.9 million votes.
The former president dismissed criticism from Odinga's allies, who are currently aligned with President Ruto, accusing him of failing to fully deploy state machinery in support of Odinga's candidature. Kenyatta insisted that the numbers on the ground told a different story from the declared result. He stated that the party had more elected representatives, senators, and ministers than their opponents, making it unclear how they lost the election.
Kenyatta's remarks reflect his continued support for Odinga, who has now made five unsuccessful bids for the presidency, following earlier defeats in 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017. The former president's comments are likely to reignite debate about the legitimacy of the 2022 presidential election. Kenyatta's assertions have been met with skepticism by some, who argue that the official results were verified by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In response to criticism, Kenyatta expressed amazement at claims that he and the Jubilee Party did not support Odinga's campaign. He described such claims as inconsistent with what actually transpired on the ground. According to Kenyatta, the party worked tirelessly to assist Odinga in his bid to become president.
The handover of Jubilee Party leadership to deputy party leader Fred Matiang'i provided a platform for Kenyatta to reflect on the party's recent past and its future direction. Kenyatta's speech emphasized the importance of principled decision-making in politics, citing the party's support for Odinga as an example. He encouraged the party to learn from its experiences and move forward.
Kenyatta's comments have sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including politicians and supporters of both Odinga and Ruto. The debate surrounding the 2022 presidential election outcome continues, with some Kenyans questioning the legitimacy of the results.
Key points
- Former President Uhuru Kenyatta insists Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.
- Kenyatta dismisses criticism that he did not support Odinga's campaign.
- Odinga lost the election to President William Ruto by about 200,000 votes.
