Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has clarified that he will not boycott the August 9, general election expressing confidence he will carry the day.
Speaking at Wang’uru Stadium in Martha Karua’s home county of Kirinyaga on Thursday, Raila said he was not a coward to withdraw from a poll he was sure of winning by a clear majority.
He spoke as the Azimio ticket wound up its tour of Mt Kenya with a series of public rallies in Kirinyaga County as they sold their manifesto to area residents.
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However, Raila was quick to warn the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chaired by Wafula Chebukati not to tamper with the August 9 general election.
"We will not boycott elections, we are not cowards but we have warned IEBC not to try to rig the elections. It will not happen in this country, we will reject such attempts," Raila said.
He added, "Martha and Raila will be on the ballot and we shall win. There is nothing like boycotting elections."
He clarified that his statement in Kiambu a day earlier did not mean he wanted to boycott the election whenb he said IEBC must avail a manual register as a back up to the electronic system used to identify voters at all polling stations.
The Azimio flagbearer appealed to civil servants, county commissioners, chiefs and their assistants to ensure the will of Kenyans is upheld in the forthcoming general election.
Raila acknowledged the rising cost of living and reiterated his promise to reduce the cost of basic commodities within the first one hundred days in office if he wins in August.
“I know the price of unga has gone up same as fuel, we will reduce the cost of basic commodities within the first 100 days. We have an agenda of improving the lives of all Kenyans in our government,” Raila said.
Addressing a packed Wang’uru Stadium, Kaura asked for the support of Kirinyaga residents, saying his ticket with Raila was the best to lead Kenya based on their experience and maturity.
She assured Kenyans of equality and compassion and a leadership devoid of anger.
“Raila is mature, level-headed and sober, he can be trusted to lead the country. We are not driven by rage because our leader is more experienced,” Karua said.
On her part, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu challenged residents of Kirinyaga County to support their daughter Martha Karua to make history as the first female deputy president of Kenya.
“All women of Kenya we are looking up to Kirinyaga to see if they will support one of their own to ascend to the second-highest office in Kenya,” Ngilu said.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed expressed confidence of an Azimio win during the event in which Raila and Karua were crowned by Kikuyu elders to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In an elaborate traditional ceremony, Raila and Karua received blessings and were dressed in traditional Agikuyu regalia to symbolize that the community has confidence in their leadership.
The elders also anointed the duo saying the Azimio presidential ticket will salvage the nation from poverty.
The event was attended by notable leaders, including the Interior CS Karanja Kibicho, Cecily Kariuki, Gitobu Imayara, Suleman Shahbal, Peter Kenneth, Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri, his Nyeri counterpart Caroline Karugu, Kanini Kega, Babu Owino among others.
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