Raila to Skip Ruto's Inauguration

ODM leader Raila Odinga says he will not attend President-elect William Ruto’s inauguration on Tuesday.

While acknowledging that Ruto personally invited him to the ceremony, Odinga said he will be available as he is out of the country and that he still holds “serious concerns” about the August 9th presidential election. 

“This evening, I received a letter and a telephone call from H.E 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,” Odinga said in a statement.

He insisted that the electoral commission did not conduct a free and fair election and that he believes the Supreme Court ruling validating Ruto’s victory was not based on facts and the law, even though he accepted it.

"For these reasons, the outcome of the election remains indeterminate," said Odinga.

Odinga, who gave his fifth shot at the presidency in this year’s election, promised to announce his next move once he returns to the country.

"Once I return to the country, I will, jointly with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leaders, announce our next steps as we seek to deepen and strengthen our democracy. We can only do so if we reform and transform the key institutions that are charged with protecting and advancing our democracy."