Kenya: Raila Odinga's second meeting of the week to reject the presidential result

Leader of the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition, Raila Odinga, addresses his supporters during a rally where he continued to denounce the result of the August 2022 presidential election, in Nairobi, on January 29, 2023. AFP - TONY KARUMBA

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

It's the war of words between William Ruto and Raila Odinga.

The two launch attacks by interposed speeches.

On Sunday January 29, Odinga held his second political rally in less than a week in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Already last Monday, he announced to his supporters that he rejected the results of the presidential election last August, declaring that he did not recognize William Ruto as President of Kenya, nor his government, which he describes

as "illegitimate

".

On Sunday, he spoke again.

And maintains its position. 

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With our correspondent in Nairobi

,

Albane Thirouard

First in church, then in front of thousands of supporters gathered in Nairobi, Raila Odinga repeated it on Sunday January 29: he claims to have won the presidential election.

And asks William Ruto and his government to resign.

He also renewed his call for an independent inquiry into the electoral process.  

The Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Affairs has just started proceedings following his accusations.

Odinga had already launched a legal battle after his defeat in August, denouncing fraud, but the Supreme Court had confirmed the election of William Ruto.  

See also Kenya: the Supreme Court confirms the election of William Ruto as president

President Ruto has said several times this week that his opponents' accusations will not deter him from his work as head of state.

His camp accuses Raila Odinga of seeking a political alliance to get closer to power, citing the famous

"handshake" exchanged with former president, Uhuru Kenyatta

, after the 2017 election. 

Raila Odinga rejects this accusation.

To the point of having nicknamed his Sunday rally “no handshake”.

He invited his supporters to stand up and resist the government.

And warned that he did not intend to stop there: several political rallies must take place in other regions of Kenya.  

See also Kenya: the head of state accuses his opponents of conspiracy during the 2022 presidential election

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  • William Ruto

  • Kenya