Raila calls for calm as he promises to honour Supreme Court ruling

Odinga who met a delegation of leaders from Meru County on Sunday exuded confidence in the seven-judge bench of the apex court, and called on their supporters to remain calm.  

“Kenyans should continue to have us in their prayers, we pray for peace and wisdom. We hope that the Supreme Court will deliver a fair ruling which will help us to strengthen the democracy in the country,” he said.

“​​I believe that our judges are people who are learned, qualified and are fair and therefore will deliver a just ruling,” added Odinga.

Odinga was flanked by his running mate, Martha Karua, and Agriculture CS Peter Munya.

Odinga moved to the Supreme Court seeking to invalidate the results which made his competitor William Ruto the president-elect.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati on August 15 declared Ruto as the winner of the presidential election after garnering 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast. 

Odinga came in second with 6,942,930 votes, which represents 48.85 per cent of the votes cast.

The leaders’ meeting comes as police heighten security ahead of the ruling after an end to the 14-day constitutional timeline provided to determine a presidential election petition.

Earlier in the day, Ruto also called for calm saying he will accept the seven-judge bench’s decision, whichever way it goes.

Ruto said he will welcome Monday’s ruling as it is the duty of every Kenyan – regardless of their status – to respect the rule of law.

“Tomorrow the Supreme Court will give its verdict. We will respect the ruling because there is no Kenyan who is smaller than the other,” he said.

He also exuded confidence that the judges led by Chief Justice Martha Koome will put a stamp of approval on his victory.