David Murathe Predicts Raila's Victory in Kenya's Elections ¶
Naibu Mwenyekiti wa Jubilee, David Murathe, has urged residents of Mount Kenya to ensure their votes contribute to Raila Odinga's win in the August 9 general elections.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Monday evening, Murathe expressed confidence that Raila would win even without votes from Mount Kenya.
He cited the 2013 and 2017 general elections, where Raila's votes were close to those of President Uhuru Kenyatta, despite not receiving any support from Mount Kenya.
"In the 2013 and 2017 general elections, Raila and Uhuru received almost equal votes, 50% each. Raila did not receive any votes from Mount Kenya, but he still controlled his strongholds," Murathe said.
He warned residents of Mount Kenya that they would be blamed if Raila wins without their support.
Murathe also stated that Raila would still win votes from the western region, despite President Kenyatta's support for him under the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
He cited the 2013 and 2017 general elections, where Raila's votes were close to those of President Uhuru Kenyatta, despite not receiving any support from Mount Kenya.
"We thought they would vote for us from the western region, but the truth is that Raila won Mudavadi in his home county of Vihiga because his governor and senator are from ODM," Murathe explained.
President Kenyatta was declared the winner of the 2013 general election with 6,173,433 votes (5.51%), while Raila received 5,340,546 votes (43.7%).
In the 2017 general election, President Kenyatta received 8,223,369 votes (54.17%), while Raila received 6,822,812 votes (44.94%).
However, the results were challenged in court, and the Supreme Court ordered a rerun of the election, which Raila won.
President Kenyatta has since endorsed Raila as his successor under the Azimio la Umoja coalition, which includes over 15 political parties.
Speaking at the ODM National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Kasarani, Nairobi, on February 26, President Kenyatta praised Raila, saying he was the right person to take over the leadership of the country after he retires.
"That young man will take over when he has reformed his behavior," President Kenyatta said, referring to Deputy President William Ruto.
On Saturday, Raila was officially endorsed as the Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate at the coalition's NDC at the KICC in Nairobi.
