Raila Odinga: I Will Not Attend Ruto’s Swearing-in Ceremony

Azimio leader Raila Odinga will miss the Tuesday inauguration ceremony of Kenya President-Elect H.E William Ruto.

At least 20 Heads of State including President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda are expected in Kenya for today’s inauguration.

According to the Principal Secretary in the Interior Ministry Karanja Kibicho, some 60,000 people will be allowed in the grounds to witness the swearing-in of the East African country’s new leader.

In a statement on Monday, Raila said he was invited to the event but unfortunately he will be away.

“I received a letter and a telephone call from Ruto inviting me to his inauguration set for tomorrow, September 13, 2022,” he stated.

“I regret however that I will not be available for the inauguration because I am out of the country and I also have other serious concerns.”

He said apart from the fact that he won’t be in the country, there are other concerns that would prevent him from attending.

“First, I believe that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the body in charge of our elections, did not conduct a free and fair election.”

Raila said he believes that the ruling of the Supreme Court was not based on the facts and the law, even though they accepted it.

“For these reasons, the outcome of the election remains indeterminate. Once I return to the country, I will, jointly with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leaders, announce our next steps as we seek to deepen and strengthen our democracy,” he said.

“We can only do so if we reform and transform the key institutions that are charged with protecting and advancing our democracy.”