Raila: I Won't Recognize Uhuru's October 26th Victory

National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga now says that he will not challenge President Uhuru's victory at the Supreme Court if he is declared winner of Thursday's repeat presidential election.

Raila said that he will treat President Uhuru's win as political rather than a legal one, and that moving to the apex court will be a waste of time.

Speaking in an interview with the Nation, the former Prime Minister pointed out that he will not recognize Uhuru's presidency if he is declared the winner in this week's poll.

He argued that challenging President Uhuru's October 26th win would amount to legitimizing his win, which is not the case.

“It (filing a petition) will be a waste of time. As far as we are concerned, this is not an election. Therefore, it is not a legal matter but a political one which must be dealt with as such,” he said.

“You heard Chebukati say that he cannot deliver a credible poll. In fact, he said he can’t guarantee a fair one. Under such circumstances, even without addressing the issues we raised before, who would in their right frame of mind, agree to participate in such an exercise?” he asked.

Speaking in Bondo, Siaya county on Friday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader said he will he will give the way forward to his supporters on the fresh election on Wednesday.

“I will give a way forward on October 25. But the President should know that there will be no elections,” said Mr Odinga.

“I can assure you we shall conclude this matter in an amicable way,” he added without elaborating.

“If we do not stop this computer-based rigging now, it will be institutionalised. Mwai Kibaki (former President) started it, Uhuru and Ruto did it in 2013 and again in August. That’s why you confidently hear them say that Uhuru will pass the baton to Ruto to do his 10 years. In the end, elections will become a ritual where the will of the people does not matter. We are doing this for posterity. It is not a Raila battle but a battle to establish a true democracy,” he said.

Raila announced he had withdrawn his candidature from the repeat contest two weeks ago. He cited refusal by the electoral commission to commit to delivering a credible election as ordered by the Supreme Court.

However, President Uhuru's Jubilee has maintained the fresh election must be held on October 26th before the 60 days deadline elapses.