Raila withdraws from race, demands fresh election

Raila Odinga has withdrawn from the October 26 presidential race and demanded that IEBC calls a fresh election.The decision is in Kenya's interest and is "a win-win for everyone", the NASA leader said on Tuesday.He said on Tuesday, October 10 that his decision was of the conviction that their withdrawal is in the best interest of the country and a win-win for everyone."For over five weeks, the commission has engaged us in a ping pong game well knowing they had no intention to streamline the electoral system to accord with the constitution and electoral laws. "It is now clear that the same criminal enterprise that perpetuated the fraud in the August election is firmly in charge of the Commission and setting up even more lethal mechanisms to defraud the Kenyan voter, he said. He also attacked President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee Party for pushing for election laws changes saying the move shows that it had no intention of competition on a level playing field.

“The only election Jubilee administration is interested in is one that it must win, even unlawfully,” he said.

His move comes a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta dared the ODM leader to quit the race and allow the country to move on.Raila said his withdrawal requires the commission chaired by Wafula Chebukati to conduct fresh nominations as provided for in Elections Act 2011, Section 13 (1).Fresh nominations will allow other candidates, such as Thirdway Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot, to join the race.