Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has urged Kenyans to maintain peace as he emerged in public for the first time since the election.

Speaking while attending a church service at the ACK St Francis Church in Karen on Sunday, Raila thanked Kenyans for conducting peaceful campaigns and General Election on August 9.

"We thank God for having taken us through a vigorous campaign moment. The election process was peaceful, we hope that peace will prevail even after the election," Raila said.


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The seemingly upbeat former Prime Minister expressed hope that Kenyans would remain united even after the presidential election results are announced and the winner declared.

"We are all part of one nation and we want Kenya to be even stronger going forward," he said.

In his message to the congregation, Raila recited a message on peace from St. Francis of Assisi, a distinguished Italian Catholic Friar and dedicated it to Kenyans at this anxious time.


"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith. That is what St Francis of Assisi said at that time," he narrated.


He asked Kenyans to become the embodiment of the message from St Francis of Assisi.

"This is what me as a person want to see happen; that I become an instrument to bring peace, to heal to unite and keep the hope alive," the Azimio flagbearer intimated.


Raila is optimistic he will carry the day in the presidential poll amid tension at Bomas of Kenya, where verification of Forms 34A and 34B from Returning Officers is ongoing.

He compared an Azimio win to the biblical journey by Israelites from bondage in Egypt to Canaan, the land of milk and honey that God promised his people.


"We in the Azimio La Umoja said we want to take our people across River Jordan to Canaan. We hope we will be able to enjoy life in Canaan. Peace and prosperity can only be found in Canaan,” he concluded.

He was flanked by his running mate Martha Karua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and COTU boss Francis Atwoli among other leaders.