EU Weigh in on Raila’s Decision to Challenge Presidential Election Results
The European Union (EU) has weighed in on Raila Odinga’s decision to challenge the results of the presidential election held on Tuesday, August 9.
The EU believes that the presidential election dispute should be resolved legally and peacefully through the proper channels.
The union also stated that any election-related disputes or concerns must be handled in accordance with the law.
“The EU takes note of the results by the IEBC declaring William Ruto winner of the election and the decision to appeal by Raila Odinga,” read the EU statement in part.
The union, on the other hand, praised Kenyans for remaining calm and peaceful throughout the election campaign.
Political leaders have been urged to guide the country in maintaining peace during the transition period.
“All political and societal leaders must avoid any violence and call for calm. It is time for political leadership and responsibility from all those linked to the electoral process,” added the statement.
Following the election of William Ruto as President-elect on Monday, August 15, the Azimio La Umoja flagbearer announced on Tuesday, August 16 at KICC that he would file a legal challenge.
Raila went on to say that the results announced by the IEBC chairman were null and void, emphasizing that Wafula Chebukati’s declaration of Ruto as the winner was unconstitutional because four of the seven commissioners disagreed with the results.
“Our view in Azimio is clear, the figures by Wafula Chebukati are null and void and must be quashed by a court of law. In our view, there is neither a legally and validly declared winner nor a president-elect,” Raila lamented.
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The leader expressed surprise at the results announced at the Bomas of Kenya, where he received 6,942,930 votes to Ruto’s 7,176,141.
Notably, a petition challenging the presidential election results must be filed within seven days of the IEBC’s announcement of the results.
The 7-day deadline is stipulated in the Kenyan Constitution of 2010 and the Supreme Court Presidential Election Petition Rules published in 2017.
