ODM leader Raila Odinga has claimed that he has won multiple presidential elections but was never officially declared the winner.
Speaking during the burial of James Gitahi, Raila dismissed recent political statements by some leaders, who have suggested aligning with key figures like former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua or Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a path to the presidency.
"These days I hear a young man from Murang’a saying, 'If you want to be president, be with Gachagua or Kalonzo.' They don’t know where I have come from," Raila said.
He reflected on the struggle for democracy in Kenya, recalling the challenges faced in the past. "In the past, if you said 'N'gwe,' you would be jailed. When that lion had teeth and claws, we pulled them out," he remarked, referring to the push for political reforms.
Raila also recounted his previous election experiences, hinting at 'manipulation' in past polls. "The election that was free and fair was in 2002; all these others… you know the truth. I have won many times; I just haven’t been announced," he claimed.
He revisited his call to open the 2022 election servers, arguing that the truth lies within the system. "The other day we said 'open the server' because we knew the truth was there. Did they open it? No," he said.
Raila said that despite all that, he still emphasised that Kenya’s unity and democracy are more significant than individual ambitions.
"What matters is that Kenya remains together. Democracy is a project, not instant coffee. Kenyans need to live between now and 2027," he concluded.
Raila had on Saturday, March 15 attended the burial of Colonel (Rtd) James Gitahi, who tragically lost his life in a grisly road accident a week ago.
Gitahi passed away on March 7 in a fatal crash at Kyumvi Junction on Mombasa Highway after his vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming lorry, bursting into flames.
The retired military pilot, who was alone in his saloon car, died on the spot after his body was severely burned.
Gitahi was the husband of ODM-nominated Senator Betty Batuli Montet.
