Azimio la Umoja flagbearer Raila Odinga declined an invitation to attend President-elect William Ruto’s inauguration ceremony slated for Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
In an official statement posted on his verified Twitter Account, Odinga said he would be out of the country on Tuesday but added two main reasons for turning down the invitation.
“I believe that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the body in charge of our elections, did not conduct a free and fair election,” Odinga said. “Secondly, I believe that the ruling of the Supreme Court was not based on the facts and the law, even though we accepted it.”
He promised to give the direction of the way forward upon his return.
“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,” Odinga said.
Why I won’t be available for William Ruto's inauguration. pic.twitter.com/ibD5g7WrPK
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) September 12, 2022
Meanwhile President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed President-elect William Ruto to State House Nairobi in preparation of the transition of power from the Kenyatta to Ruto administration. The two men who have no seen eye-to-eye for several years appeared comfortable with each other. Photos released by both camps showed the the Kenyatta giving the Ruto’s a tour of the State House in a move that can be viewed as an orderly transition of power.