Raila: Supreme Court ruling was unfair

PM Raila Odinga In Kondele, Kisumu on Friday. [Photo:Titus Munala]

By Mangoa Mosota and Dennis Onyango

Kisumu, Kenya: Prime Minister Raila Odinga has criticised the decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the election of Uhuru Kenya as Kenya’s fourth president.

Raila said the decision by the county’s highest court was unpopular, as he dismissed it.

The premier said the decision by the top court was tantamount to the persecution of Jesus Christ.

“The decision is like the persecution of Jesus Christ that occurred over 2000 years ago. Like Jesus, I am still alive,” said the premier, when he addressed crowds in Kondele area, Kisumu on Friday.

He said the Supreme Court, under its President Willy Mutunga, made its decision during Easter, on the same period Jesus was persecuted, died and rose.

Raila said he would continue with the fight for democracy, despite losing the presidency.

He urged Kenyans to continue to fight for justice and democracy, adding that he would spearhead this fight.

“When the cooking stick breaks, it does not mean the process of preparing meals should stop,” he said

Carrying a black Bible and dressed in a checked blue shirt, the premier said Kenyans had been let down by last week decision.

“Kenyan waited anxiously for the ruling. However, they were betrayed with the court’s ruling that was intended to kill his political career,” said Raila, amid chants from the crowd.

“We presented adequate evidence to the Supreme but it was expunged without any consideration,” said a visibly angry Raila.

Earlier, while addressing youth in Jua Kali area, he was presented with a Bible and urged to swear as a president.

However, he held it up and said ‘Praise God!’

Uhuru, 51, is set to be sworn in as president on Tuesday, at an elaborate ceremony to be held at Moi Sport Centre Kasarani.

Among foreign dignitaries expected to attend the function is Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. He is set to be the only guest who will speak apart from outgoing President Kibaki and Uhuru.

Last Saturday, the Supreme ruled that Uhuru and his running William Ruto were validly elected after garnering 50.07 per cent in the final tally by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The judges, a ruling read by Mutunga, dismissed two petitions challenging Uhuru’s election, including one filed by Raila, who obtained 43.7 per cent in the election held on March 4.

Soon after the judgment, the PM said he had accepted the verdict but did not entirely agree with the some of its findings.

This is owing to numerous anomalies Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) presented to court.

On Friday, Raila visited several places in the lakeside town and opened a hotel owned by National Assembly member for Gem Constituency Jakoyo Midiwo.

On Thursday, Raila said CORD would stand as the main Opposition party in Parliament to keep Uhuru’s Government in check.

He accused the Jubilee Coalition of plotting to weaken the Opposition by seeking post-election alliances with small parties.

Among the parties Jubilee has formed alliances with include Kanu, New Ford-Kenya and Peoples Democratic Party.