Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga has rejected the results of the poll, which proclaimed William Ruto as president-elect.
Addressing journalists in Nairobi on Tuesday, 16 August 2022, Odinga rejected what he described as unconstitutional means used by Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati to announce Ruto the winner.
“We totally and without reservations reject the presidential results announced yesterday… We are pursuing constitutional and lawful channels and processes to invalidate Mr. Chebukati’s illegal and unconstitutional pronouncement,” Odinga said.
He said that only Mr Chebukati alone had access to the tally of the presidential vote and denied all commissioners access to that information.
“Our budding democracy yesterday suffered a major setback. Our constitution is very clear on how the IEBC should carry out its role. What we saw yesterday was a blatant disregard of the law by Mr Wafula Chebukati & the minority commission,” Odinga said.
“The law on the IEBC provides that unless a unanimous decision is reached, a decision on any matter before the commission shall be by a majority of the members present and voting,” he said.
The Azimio presidential candidate said the figures announced by Mr. Chebukati are null and void and must be quashed by a court of law.
“In our view there is neither a legally and validly declared winner nor a president elect,” he said.
Deputy President William Ruto was on Monday declared the winner of Kenya’s presidential election amid dramatic scenes.
He narrowly beat Odinga, taking 50.5% of the vote, according to the official results.
The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by Mr Odinga’s campaign.
Mr Odinga’s party agent earlier alleged that there were “irregularities” and “mismanagement” in the election.
The 77-year-old former prime minister, who got 48.8% of the vote, was running for president for the fifth time.
