Ragtag NRM leader Raila Odinga. [Photo: zipo.co.ke]"I personally disagree with the ruling but I respect it. Six people have decided that they will go against the will of the people," President Uhuru Kenyatta said after his August 8 re-election victory was nullified by the Supreme Court on September 1.While the ruling was supposed to open a fresh round of campaigning between Raila Odinga and President Kenyatta, the Nation reports, the Nasa leadership made some new demands before they could participate in the race.At first, they targeted the removal of both IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and CEO Ezra Chiloba, writes the paper.The jubilant Odinga had described the ruling as 'historic' and said as quoted by Nation: "We have no faith at all in the electoral commission as currently constituted. They have committed a criminal act and most of them belong in jail."This meant that NASA had to engage in a spirited campaign for the removal of the commissioners. However, this was before NASA realized that commissioner's removal could jeopardise the fresh election since the chairman was the returning officer and could only be appointed by the President after approval by Parliament, the Nation notes.NASA lawyers also realized that the President had no powers to appoint a commissioner at the time of the election.The Nation says, that left the focus on IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba 'who was now targeted by Nasa through demonstrations and public rallies, after which he took an unexpected leave."As Jubilee Party took to the campaigns, Mr Odinga found solace in regular press conferences and finally came up with what was known as 'irreducible minimums' that must be met before he can take part in the poll," the publication adds.Meanwhile, the paper says, IEBC had gazetted Odinga as the only challenger to President Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party was wary that a withdrawal by Raila could lead to a constitutional dilemma.Dr Ekuru Aukot, a presidential candidate, had gone to court seeking his inclusion in the race. But, a day before a ruling on his case was made, Mr Odinga formally withdrew from the race, hoping to force nominations. The High Court allowed Dr Aukot to run, the Nation recounts.Since then Odinga started a campaign of 'no reforms, no election' and called for an election boycott.On the day of the election, Nation affirms, Nasa supporters in Nyanza counties managed to stop the IEBC officials from delivering voting materials."A total of 7.4 million voters cast their votes for President Kenyatta, giving him another mandate as Mr Odinga announced the formation of the National Resistance Movement," the paper states in conclusion.
KIAMBU
Sequence of tactical blunders that culminated in Raila's 6th electoral defeat
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