Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has once again expressed his conviction that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election in Kenya. Speaking at a meeting with Jubilee Party officials in Nairobi on September 22, 2026, Uhuru stated that he still believes Odinga garnered enough votes to win the election. He referred to Odinga as "Baba" and emphasized that everything possible was done to secure his victory. Uhuru's remarks have brought the disputed election back into the spotlight.
Uhuru dismissed suggestions that he and his allies failed to give Odinga enough support during the presidential contest. He stated that those involved in the election knew what happened after the vote and would not want similar events repeated. According to Uhuru, the outcome of the election was not a surprise to those who were involved. He made it clear that he stands by his assertion that Odinga won the election. The former President's comments have sparked renewed debate about the 2022 election.
The 2022 presidential election was contested by Odinga on the Azimio la Umoja ticket, with William Ruto running against him. Ruto was declared the winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), receiving 50.49% of the vote, while Odinga garnered 48.85%. Odinga and other petitioners challenged the outcome at the Supreme Court, but the court unanimously dismissed the petitions on September 5, 2022, and upheld Ruto's election. The dispute over the election outcome remains a contentious issue.
Uhuru's latest comments have sparked disagreement among former Azimio officials. Some have differing views on the events that contributed to the coalition's defeat. The disagreement has centered on the organization of the campaign, including the recruitment and payment of polling agents and changes made to the campaign structure. Former Raila chief agent Saitabao Kanchory previously blamed the dismantling of campaign structures for some of the difficulties encountered during the election.
The issue of election agents and campaign funds has also been a point of contention among former Azimio officials. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino defended Suna East MP Junet Mohamed against accusations that he mishandled money meant to pay Azimio agents. Babu also questioned Uhuru's role in the election and his political differences with Ruto, who was Uhuru's deputy before their relationship broke down. Junet had rejected accusations that he mishandled money intended for ODM agents during the 2022 General Election.
Junet claimed that the funds meant for election agents were released to Uhuru's brother and that another individual was given responsibility for recruiting and paying the agents. He alleged that this individual presented himself as an IT expert, claiming he had the capacity to detect and prevent any manipulation of results by the IEBC. Junet also claimed that the agents' funds were being managed from a restricted office in Westlands, Nairobi, which he said could not be accessed by most party officials, including Odinga.
Odinga had previously rejected suggestions that problems surrounding the recruitment and management of agents contributed to his defeat. He stated that candidates could not be held responsible for protecting the vote or conducting a free and fair election, as that duty belonged to the electoral body and other institutions established by law. Odinga also came to Junet's defense, denying that the Suna East MP had handled or misused money meant for election agents.
Key points
- Former President Uhuru Kenyatta reiterates his conviction that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.
