Frustration, applause greet Raila decision

Leaders from Mt Kenya want the electoral agency to declare President Uhuru Kenyatta winner after Opposition candidate Raila Odinga announced his withdrawal from the repeat election.

A section of leaders accused the Nasa leader of trying to engineer a constitutional crisis to resort to a coalition government.

In Nyandarua, Assembly Speaker Wahome Ndegwa said Nasa had sent clear signals that they were not prepared for the election.

SWEAR IN
This is as Ol Joro Orok MP Michael Muchira said: “Mr Raila has realised that he has no following and his popularity has dwarfed.

"There can be no elections without a competitor, President Uhuru should be sworn in the next 14 days according to the Constitution.”

Teachers in the region welcomed Mr Odinga’s withdrawal, saying the move was good for the academic calendar and called for President Kenyatta’s swearing-in.

NATIONAL EXAMS
Mt Kenya Teachers’ Forum coordinator and spokesman Ndung’u Wangenye said the move ended the uncertainty in the upcoming national exams, students and teachers security as well as the economy.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega accused Mr Odinga of a plot to cause chaos to attract the international community that would then offer to mediate.

In Nyeri, residents took to the streets to express displeasure at Mr Odinga’s decision.

BUDGET
The residents accused the Nasa leader of taking Kenyans for a ride and allowing the IEBC to spend millions preparing for a repeat election.

In Kisii, Deputy Governor Joash Maangi said dialogue between the two protagonists, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, could have salvaged the situation before it slid that far.

Former Kisii governorship candidate Manson Nyamweya (KNC) termed the withdrawal of Mr Odinga from the race as “a selfless act” as ODM deputy chairman Kerosi Ondieki said the Gusii community would stand with the Nasa leader till his demands are met.

SADNESS
However, Law Society of Kenya-Kisii chairman Denis Manono expressed disappointment, saying institutions should be respected.

In Makueni, there was no fanfare but residents who Nation spoke to welcomed the move but admitted being bewildered by the uncertainty in the direction the country would take.

“We saw Mr Odinga’s move coming because it has been clear that IEBC has been unable and unwilling to address the issues that made the Supreme Court annul the August 8 presidential polls,” Knut-Kibwezi chairman Christopher Kilonzo said. 

In Uasin Gishu, residents expressed disappointment, saying it was saddening for the Opposition to put the country in uncertainty.