Wajackoyah Confident Of Victory Despite Falling Behind Ruto, Raila

Roots Party presidential candidate, George Wajackoyah expressed confidence in a victory in the 2022 presidential elections, despite provisional results showing him lagging far behind Kenya Kwanza's Deputy William Ruto and his Azimio counterpart Raila Odinga.

In a statement by the party's secretary general, Adam Kadernani on Saturday, August 13, Wajackoyah lauded the will of the citizens in voting for their preferred leaders in the August 9 general elections.

The second phase is now up to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which is currently tallying the results before announcing the winner officially.

Ongoing verification process at the Bomas of Kenya. /MARTIN WACHIRA.TWITTER

He further called upon Kenyans to remain patient and maintain peace as they wait for the final results, becoming only the third presidential candidate to do so after Raila and Ruto.

"The first phase was exercised by the citizenry, the second phase by the IEBC, the body constitutionally mandated to tally the votes and announce a winner. We are confident that we will win through a fair, free and credible process.

"Our presidential candidate Prof George Wajackoyah would like Kenyans to maintain peace and accord the IEBC the patience it deserves in tallying the votes," Kadernani stated.

While calling for unity amongst Kenyans, the pro-marijuana professor added that he would address the nation after IEBC officially announces the presidential election results.

With his closest competitor, David Mwaure of the Agano party having announced that he conceded defeat in the presidential race, several eyes have been focused on Wajackoyah on whether or not he would become the second candidate to concede.

On his part, Deputy President William Ruto noted that while Kenyans voted to choose their next president, God has the final say on who becomes the country's next leader.

"We ask all of us to be patient with all the processes that are going on at the moment and to pray for the IEBC so that they can complete this exercise in the manner in which we voted. We've had peaceful elections, it is my prayer that we end this process peacefully," he addressed during a church service at his Karen home attended by his political allies.

Speaking on Sunday, August 14 at the ACK St. Francis Church in Karen, Nairobi, Raila preached peace and patience across the country.

He urged Kenyans to remain calm as the process goes on, in the aftermath of chaos witnessed at the National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya.

"Lord, make us instruments of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, a union where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy," Raila quoted St. Francis of Assisi, a renowned Italian Catholic Friar.

"We want to thank the Lord for having brought us so far, through election campaigns... elections have been peaceful so far; we hope this peace will prevail even after elections."

With regards to himself being in the presidential race, he said that a victory for Azimio was akin to reaching the promised land of Canaan, calling upon his supporters to remain calm as peace can only be found in the promised land.

Raila Odinga speaking at the ACK St. Francis Church in Karen on August 14, 2022. /MARTHA KARUA