Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany has responded to former President Uhuru Kenyatta's recent comments on the legitimacy of the 2022 presidential election. Kitany believes that Uhuru Kenyatta is undermining his own electoral victory in 2013, which was also disputed by the opposition. She argues that Uhuru Kenyatta was a product of the electoral system established under the 2010 constitution and should not question the High Court's decision on the outcome of the 2022 presidential polls.
Uhuru Kenyatta had cast doubt on the legitimacy of President William Ruto's victory in 2022, claiming that Raila Odinga won the election. Kitany disputes this claim, arguing that Uhuru Kenyatta is disputing the decision of a court that ruled in his favour during the 2017 election, where he won against Raila Odinga. She maintains that President Ruto's victory was legitimate and that he had the biggest number of supporters who catapulted him to power.
Kitany also pointed out that elections are not won based on the number of Members of Parliament who come into parliament, but rather by the number of votes. She used the example of Nairobi, which has 17 constituencies but a much larger number of voters compared to Kakamega, which has 12 constituencies with fewer voters. This, she argues, shows that President Ruto's victory was not solely based on the number of MPs.
Uhuru Kenyatta's comments on the 2022 polls were made during a Jubilee Party meeting on Tuesday. He claimed that he is certain that Raila Odinga won the 2022 polls, hinting at a scheme to bungle the outcome that secured President Ruto's win. Uhuru Kenyatta also stated that he and his team did everything to help Raila Odinga become President of Kenya, and that he knows Raila Odinga won the election.
Kitany's response to Uhuru Kenyatta's comments was made during an appearance on Citizen TV. She argued that Uhuru Kenyatta should not question the legitimacy of the electoral system, given that he was a beneficiary of it in 2013. She also emphasized that President Ruto's victory was legitimate and that he had the support of the majority of Kenyans.
The debate over the legitimacy of the 2022 presidential election has sparked a renewed discussion on the country's electoral system. Other politicians, including Kalonzo Musyoka, have also weighed in on the issue, with some claiming that Raila Odinga won the election. However, the official results and the High Court's decision have confirmed President Ruto's victory.
The controversy surrounding the 2022 presidential election has raised concerns about the stability of Kenya's democracy. The country has a history of disputed elections, which have led to violence and instability in the past. As such, the debate over the legitimacy of the 2022 presidential election is likely to continue, with different stakeholders presenting their views on the matter.
Key points
- MP Marianne Kitany disputes Uhuru Kenyatta's claims that the 2022 presidential election was not free and fair.
- Uhuru Kenyatta claims that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.
- President Ruto's victory was confirmed by the High Court and he maintains that it was legitimate.
