NASA leader Raila Odinga. His withdrawal from the race may be a hurdle in quest for a repeat election process. (citizentv.co.ke)
National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga has dismissed the repeat presidential election as a sham. He has cited that the election was conducted without proper reforms taken to correct the alleged irregularities and illegalities committed by IEBC.
However, Raila's withdrawal from the repeat exercise may be a hurdle against his call for a repeat election in the next 90 days. His withdrawal from the race may be seen as a disinterest in the whole process hence the Supreme Court may uphold the reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Similarly, the lack of IEBC to conduct an election in his four main support counties may still work against him. In their defense, IEBC may argue that the violence was meant to delegitimize the whole process and make it appear as if they were not ready for an election. The violence in his (Raila) support base may give an indication that it is him who was not, in fact, ready for an election.
The anti-IEBC demos have also led to the loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of normal economic activities thus hurting the economy. This might give an impression that Raila does not have the interests of the country at heart and the demos may be used to argue that they provided a hostile environment for IEBC to plan and execute their functions efficiently.
Raila has further called for the continued demonstrations against the 'sham' repeat election and he wants Kenyans to protest so that a fresh election is held.
This will be unfair to those who voted during the repeat poll and decided on who among the presidential candidates they prefer. It will also be unfair to business owners who have lost lots of money during the previous demos. The demos will also lead to the loss of lives and destruction of property as has been shown in previous protests. Raila should thus look for other peaceful means of negotiating for his political ambitions.