- He said he will only inherit positive sides of Jubilee administration.
- Commits to accept Supreme Court verdict on IEBC
Image: REUTERS/PETER NICHOLLS
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday said he will only continue with the positive side of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy even as he commits to accept the outcome of the August 9, General Election.
Speaking at Chatham House London, Raila said he will accept the poll results if the process will be free and fair.
The ODM boss who will be flying the Azimio flag against Deputy President William Ruto said they have already raised with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) their concerns towards a free and fair contest.
“It has been a long road following 2007 botched elections, Kenyans paid a very heavy price and we said never again will that happen,” Raila said.
“We have pointed areas of concern we want them (IEBC) to address to ensure the process is free and fair.”
“If it (presidential elections) is free and fair and we win or lose, we will accept the results.”
Ruto had last week during a rally at Thika Stadium in Kiambu County challenged Raila to publicly commit to accepting the outcome of elections and not resorting to mass action.
The opposition leader also clarified that he will not continue the negative sides of the Jubilee administration.
“I have never said that we are going to continue with the negative things. We will continue with positive works done by President Uhuru Kenyata,” he said.
The opposition chief cited the anti-graft war as some of the things he will do differently if he succeeds President Kenyatta.
Raila said the internal division in the Jubilee administration has derailed the war against corruption saying he does not carry the luggage of a divided team
“Any fight against corruption is politicized, if anybody is investigated there is always this cry that so and so is being investigated because he is my supporter,” Raila said.
“I am coming in there with clean hands and people know me. I am not coming with that baggage.”
Raila also drummed support for the Azimio La Umoja movement describing it as a continuation of the handshake with President Uhuru that ended the poll chaos that followed the 2017 presidential election.
“The spirit of dialogue and handshake continues in the Azimio La Umoja Movement on whose ticket I am seeking to be president,” he said.
He further maintained the need for constitutional amendments to address some grey areas for better governance of the country.
The ex-PM said Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was a progressive proposal towards improving the Constitution.
“I am convinced that our Constitution still needs some reforms. For example, a candid look at the relationship between Parliament and the Executive is urgent,” he stated.
The ODM leader also committed to accepting the Supreme Court verdict on BBI.