By Peter Ochieng

Political leaders aligned to the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya formation have been urged to ‘accept and move on’ from the ‘hungover’ of the August 2022 presidential contest.

Kabando wa Kabando, former Mukurweini Member of Parliament (MP) says it is high time Azimio leaders accept that their presidential candidate, Raila Odinga lost to William Ruto.

The former legislature says the Azimio brigade, being one of them should quickly turn their focus and energy on effectively oversight President William Ruto’s administration.

“Our energy and focus as organised opposition should be on matters that largely benefit less privileged citizens. If left unchecked, Ruto regime will be worse than Moi era. But to credit, Ruto’s dismantling of Uhuru’s state capture projects is most welcome, indeed valid efforts,” the former MP stated.

He said he holds in high regard Azimio leader Raila Odinga and his 2022 running mate Martha Karua but insists Azimio should now focus on pushing for the agenda of the larger Kenyan community.

“I’ve highest regard for Raila Odinga, a patriot. My party & leader @narckenya @MarthaKarua, whose integrity remains beyond reproach. I wouldn’t want us to misappropriate the obligation to keep Ruto’s govt on its toes. Let’s talk and mobilize on public interest issues, not just 2022.”

The former lawmaker shared his thoughts through a series of tweets on Saturday, 21st January 2023.

His sentiments came days after Azimio leaders led by Karua, Wiper Party boss Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni this week claimed that Odinga won the presidential race with 8.1 votes, against Ruto’s less than 6 million.

They attributed Odinga’s ‘win’ to data shared by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) whistleblower.

Ruto, according to results announced by former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati on 15th August 2022, won the race to the House on the Hill with 7.1 million votes, against Odinga’s 6.9 million.

Azimio leaders said Odinga will issue a comprehensive statement on vote rigging claims, once he returns back in the country from his South Africa trip.