Five-time presidential candidate Raila Odinga has turned down an invitation by President-Elect William Ruto to his inauguration, saying he still believes the election was flawed.
Ruto’s inauguration is slated for today at Kasarani stadium. The president-elect will take over power from his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a statement issued by Odinga, he said Ruto had called to invite him and even sent him a letter, but he will not attend.
“This (Monday) evening, I received a letter and a telephone call from Dr. William Ruto inviting me to his inauguration set for tomorrow, September 13, 2022. 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.
Odinga reiterated his previous position that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) did not conduct a free and fair election.
The former Prime Minister said he believes that the ruling of the Supreme Court upholding Ruto’s election “was not based on the facts and the law, even though we accepted it.”
“For these reasons, the outcome of the election remains indeterminate,” he said.
He stated that once he returns to the country, he will announce his next move.