President Uhuru Kenyatta believes he has no substantive reason to cling to power in case he loses the 2017 polls to the opposition.
Kenyatta’s statement comes after a heated debate from the opposition under the leadership of Raila Odinga who are piling pressure on Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission which they are accusing of partiality.
In his address to Kisii town residents, Uhuru said he will not hesitate to retreat to Kiambu should the IEBC announce a different winner.
“I am not afraid of losing elections. It's people who make choices and if they reject me in polls, I have no reason to impose myself on them. The people’s choice is always important to any nation,” Uhuru said.
“I am ready to go back to Gatundu if I lose elections in 2017. This is not a matter of life and death. Always after elections, life must go on,” Uhuru said in what would be interpreted as a defense to embattled IEBC officials.
He urged political leadership to face the people and look for votes rather than blaming IEBC which he said was not under any external influence.
“I have no reason at all to interfere with an independent body. I respect the law and their rights must be respected," said Uhuru.
"Let us all face the people and look for votes rather than targeting an innocent commission. Whoever wins then should take over. There is no need to fight over an election,” he added.