When our votes were stolen we accepted court decision, Raila tells Ruto

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has advised President William Ruto to accept court verdicts that do not favour the Kenya Kwanza administration, the same way he accepted the Supreme Court ruling that dismissed his petition challenging the 2022 presidential election.

Speaking in Rongo, Migori County on Saturday January 13 during the funeral of Migori County ODM chairman Philip Makabing’o, the ODM party leader said it was uncouth for President Ruto to keep issuing threats to the Judges every time they issue orders barring him from implementing policies that are not acceptable in law.

“When our election was stolen, we moved to court and despite the evidence we presented before it, the Supreme Court judges dismissed our petition using all manner of unpalatable adjectives. We accepted the verdict but disagreed with it and life went on”, Raila stated.

President William Ruto speaking during an event at Karomboithi Village in Njabini, Nyandarua County on January 2, 2024. Photo: Rigathi Gachagua/X

Raila added that President Ruto should be the last person to complain when the Judiciary delivers its verdict on various matters presented in court.

“He (Ruto) is a product of such rulings and should stop throwing words left, right and center at the Judiciary”, he added.

The ODM leader urged Kenyans to stand up and defend the Judiciary even if it means marching to the state house in protest.

“Even if it means holding a million man march to the state house, we shall do it and defend the judiciary”, he said.

At the same time, Raila announced that next week, he will issue a comprehensive statement on the economic status of the country and how the Ruto administration is trying to use unorthodox means to milk money from poor Kenyans.

“You see the issue of having a withholding tax on all farm produce sold by farmers through co-operative societies, this is one thing that needs to be talked about in strong terms,” he said.

Raila’s remarks emerged at a time when President William Ruto raised concern over alleged abuse of the Judiciary by corrupt individuals to sabotage Government programs.

The President explained that the Judiciary must submit itself to the Constitution and Kenyans.

“We will protect the independence of the Judiciary. But we will not allow selfish individuals to take it captive,” he said.

“We respect the judiciary but the judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers must stop in Kenya. We will stop it with whatever it takes,” added the president.

President Ruto has maintained that he will continue implementing the affordable housing government agenda, despite the court cases challenging its legality.