'Only 2002 election was fair, the rest I have won,’ Raila tells off Gachagua allies

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Raila Odinga has told off politicians allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who are currently pushing him to run for president in 2027.

Odinga, who spoke on Saturday during the burial of veteran retired Pilot Colonel James Nguyo Gitahi in Maanzoni, Machakos County, claimed that he has always triumphed in almost all of the Kenyan presidential elections he has vied in, and it is only unfortunate that he has never been declared the winner.

“Uchaguzi ambao ulikuwa free and fair ni wa 2002 peke yake, hizi zingine zote mnajua, SK amewaambia. Kwa hivyo msiniambie ati nataka kushinda uchaguzi, nimeshinda mara nyingi. Sijatangazwa tu,” he said.

Mr. Odinga was responding to Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, who told him to team up with Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka ahead of 2027 to unseat President Ruto.

The former prime minister told those pushing him to give his presidencial bid the sixth stab to cool down, saying the year 2027, the polls year, will just come.

“Siku hizi naona huyu kijana mwingine kutoka Murang’a anasema ati ukitaka kuwa Rais kuwa na Gachagua na Kalonzo. Wewe hujui pahali nimetoka bwana, poa kabisa. Nchi hii inaweza kuchomeka ikiwa watu hawajajihadhari sana,” said Odinga.

Mr. Odinga, who recently signed a political agreement pact with President Ruto said the country ought to be united to address the teething issues affecting it instead of pushing the head of state 'out'.

According to the Opposition leader, Kenyans are grappling with the high cost of living and removing President Ruto would plunge the country into an endless political whirlwind and create more problems.

“Kenyans need to live between now and 2027. The cost of living is too high for Kenyans; people are suffering because food prices are high, taxes are too high, and corruption has increased. Mnasema Ruto aende, aende alafu nini ifanyike? Gachagua alienda, sasa mnataka Ruto aende Kindiki abaki pale, alafu pia aende akuje mtu mwingine…” said Mr. Odinga.

He added, “Juzi tulikua tunasema fungueni server, sababu tulikua tunajua ndani ya server kuna ukweli. Walifungua? Lakini cha muhimu ni kwamba Kenya is greater than all of us. Democracy is a project, it is not an instant coffee that you brew and drink at the same time.”

He urged elected leaders who attended the funeral to prioritize serving the people.