LIVE: Raila Odinga addresses Kenyans, rejects poll results
What you need to know:
The address was at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where the Azimio coalition has set up its media centre.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has rejected Wafula Chebukati’s declaration of DP William Ruto as president-elect saying his coalition is pursuing all available constitutional options.
Speaking for the first time since the IEBC chair declared the presidential results on Monday, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential candidate, claimed Mr Chebukati showed disregard to the Constitution by announcing results processed unilaterally.
He also claimed that the chair was the only person who accessed the presidential tally and informed the commissioners without permitting any discussion of the results.
“The chair acted in disregard to the Constitution… Azimio rejects the presidential results announced by Mr Chebukati,” he said.
Mr Odinga also urged his supporters to maintain peace and calm as the coalition pursues constitutional avenues to invalidate the pronunciations by Mr Chebukati.
Poll results
Dr Ruto polled 7,176, 141 (50.49 per cent) to secure the 50 per cent plus one required to win the presidency in the first round, edging out Mr Odinga who got 48.85 per cent of the vote.
The KICC had for three days after the Tuesday August 9 General Election been the scene of heightened activities as officials allied to the coalition put final touches to prepare for the announcement of presidential results.
A red carpet had by Thursday afternoon been rolled out at the entrance of the Tsavo ballroom, which is expected to act as a VIP holding area and the media centre for the coalition.
Inside the VIP holding room, an elaborate set-up of elegant seats and tables had also been made. Elected leaders, party officials and other dignitaries allied to the coalition are expected to sit at the centre.
On Thursday afternoon, Azimio officials said they expected leaders to begin arriving at the venue at any time.
Security around that area had also been beefed up, with access to the Tsavo Ballroom restricted to party officials, accredited journalists and those with access cards issued by the Azimio team.
And it is at the KICC that the coalition had last week also been holding strategy meetings involving bureaucrats, technocrats and communication specialists in preparations for the announcement of the presidential results.
At the media centre, cameras, giant displays and television screens, a podium and seats have also been set up. It is from the media centre that leaders of the coalition will address the country – giving periodical updates as the vote counting continues.
The activity and buzz around the KICC, however, died down after a Saturday meeting that brought together elected leaders under the Azimio coalition.
