Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga vowed Tuesday not to accept a “sham” election, declaring he would push for a fresh vote through a campaign of civil disobedience and peaceful protest.He did not indicate whether he would file suit again at the country’s paramount court to have the election annulled.
He also thanked his supporters who heeded his call to boycott the election. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying only 38.8 percent of registered voters turned out. Odinga charged that even this figure was manufactured “to show that Uhuru Kenyatta has a popular mandate.”
The 72-year-old said the election had served to “render useless” last month’s Supreme Court ruling, which had been widely hailed as proof of Kenya’s deepening democracy.
He said his National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition in favour of dialogue with President Kenyatta’s camp, but “before engaging in dialogue, we must also be clear what differences we are sitting down to resolve.”
“The Supreme Court ordered a repeat election held in compliance with the constitution and the law. The order has not been complied with. It must be. It is in our best interest that we do so sooner rather than later,” he said.
“We will not allow two megalomaniacs to destroy the dream of freedom and democracy that generations have sacrificed and worked so hard for,” he said, referring to Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
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