Raila concedes defeat in fifth presidential race loss

Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Monday conceded defeat by his political nemesis William Ruto, promising strong opposition to check the incoming government.

It was his fifth unsuccessful run for the presidency by the man considered by many the father of democracy in Kenya.

"This judgment is by no means the end of our movement,” the 77-year-old former Prime Minister said in a statement.

“We will be communicating in the near future on our plans to continue our struggle for transparency, accountability and democracy,” Raila said.

He gave all indications he is not going to exit the political scene in the near future.

Raila lost after the Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld the victory of President-elect Ruto. The IEBC declared Ruto the winner on August 15.

Raila challenged the win in a presidential petition.

The Azimio and ODM leader did not address the media in person but issued a statement.

He vehemently disagreed with the decision and said the judges ignored crucial evidence he presented to invalidate Ruto's win.

“We have always stood for the rule of law and the Constitution. In this regard, we respect the opinion of the court although we vehemently disagree with their decision today,” Raila said.

Raila lost to Ruto after the seven-member court found no major discrepancies in the vote tallies and no proof of infiltration of the IEBC results system to Ruto's win.

“We find it incredible the judges found against us on all nine grounds and occasionally resorted to unduly exaggerated language to refute our claims,” Raila said.

He called the language unwarranted and maintained he had "irrefutable evidence" that Ruto did not win

Chief Justice Martha Koome, reading a unanimous decision in summary, said the former Prime Minister did not persuade the court to overturn Ruto's win.

She described some of the evidence as "hot air", "a red herring" and said the petitioners had taken them "on a wild goose chase". 

Raila had petitioned the court, claiming that hackers had infiltrated the IEBC results system, no candidate had attained 50 per cent plus one and that IEBC did not agree on the results.

He challenged the results and the IEBC's declaration that Raila won with 50.49 per cent against his 48.89 per cent.

“Our lawyers proffered irrefutable evidence and the facts were on our side. Unfortunately, the judges saw it otherwise,” Raila said.

His running mate, Martha Karua, tweeted, “The court has spoken. I respect but disagree with the findings."

Political pundits had said Raila would have to chart his succession if he losses at the Supreme Court, considering his age.

The ODM leader lost in 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017, the last being a race in which Ruto ran on the Jubilee Party ticket.

Raila’s loss has also caused major casualties on his team, who were banking on his victory to reignite their political and public office careers.

The ODM leader said the court defeat has inspired him to redouble his efforts to help transform the country "into a prosperous democracy where each and every Kenyan can find their full belonging".

The ODM leader said he’d advise his supporters on the next plan of action.

He thanked his supporters and Kenyans who stood with him.

In his address following the ruling, Ruto extended an olive branch to his rivals, saying he will ensure a good working relationship with him as an opposition leader.

“My competitors now have a credible basis on which to consider the outcome and we are vindicated by the choice of the people of Kenya,” the President-elect said.

He urged the losers – not only Raila but also George Wajackoyah and Waihiga Mwaure — to consider him as a worthy compatriot.

“I consider all my competitors to be my worthy compatriots. We are not enemies, we are Kenyans. Let us unite to make Kenya a nation where everyone shall be proud to call home,” Ruto said.

(Edited by V. Graham)