We Will Hold National Prayers- Raila

Azimio la Umoja coalition leader Raila Odinga, on Wednesday, February 15 announced that the coalition will hold prayers for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking at a press briefing after a roundtable with Azimio senators, Raila announced that the prayers will be held outside IEBC's main offices at Anniversary towers, along the University Way.

He further announced that the prayers will be held next week at a date he did not announce.

"We will also be doing a prayer for the IEBC that we will get an IEBC that will defend the rights of our people. That prayer will be done in front of the premises of the IEBC sometime next week," he stated.

Raila Odinga speaking to the media on February 15, 2023. /FACEBOOK.RAILA ODINGA

He further announced the schedule of the Azimio anti-President William Ruto rallies, starting from Kisii on Friday, February 17 and then to Kisumu, on Saturday, February 18.

Raila took a jab at President Ruto for holding national prayers on Tuesday, February 14, stating that prayers would not rescue him from his alleged offences.

He also promised to continue fighting for the country to maintain multipartysim and commit to stopping the government from bringing back an era of dictatorship.

"The issue of electoral justice that we're talking about. This is not an issue that is going to die until it's properly resolved. The elections were rigged and it does not matter if Mr Ruto shouts, or how many times he prays.

"The prayer is not going to help get away with theft of elections. People fought for a long time to bring multi-partyism back to the country and we're not going to surrender it again and bring it back to the dark days of single-party dictatorship where elections were basically manipulated," he added.

The ODM boss maintained that he won the August 2022 general elections, insisting that his victory was stolen.

"Do we wish to put these things under the carpet? Somebody got 5.9 million votes and the other got 8.1 million votes. Those are the facts and they cannot be swept under the carpet.

'We must defend electoral justice in our country and what we have told our members of Parliament to do. This is a right nobody can take away from us," he stated.

The announcement for national prayers came a day after President Ruto held interdenominational prayers at Nyayo Stadium, attended by First Lady Rachel Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua among other leaders.

At the same time, he also announced leadership changes in the coalition. Steward Madzayo was appointed the Minority leader in the Senate and will be deputised by Senator Enoch Wambua.

The chief whip is Ledama Ole Kina deputised by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Ole Kina replaced Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo who was dewhipped.