Raila Can't Stop Elections, Presidential Candidate Ekuru Aukot Says

Presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot says that the October 26th repeat election must go on as scheduled whether National Super Alliance (NASA) candidate Raila Odinga participates or not.

The opposition leader leader dramatically bowed out of the race on Wednesday and wants a fresh poll conducted in 90 days.

"The fresh election cannot be predicated on the decision of one candidate. If one candidate choses to withdraw, Kenya cannot come to a standstill," Aukot said in a media briefing in Nairobi Saturday.

"Politicians in this country have a false sense of self-entitlement that the country cannot continue if they are not there.”

He, however, said that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission should also be blamed.

"When a candidate writes to say they have withdrawn, why are you forcing him on the ballot? When the High Court says include the name of Aukot in the ballot, why do you go on a fishing expedition for everybody else?" Asked Ekuru.

He said that he has dropped his demands on IEBC following a meeting with them, although he has no 100 percent confidence with the electoral body.

"After our meeting with the IEBC yesterday, we are somewhat convinced that the IEBC had addressed some of the issues pointed out by the Supreme Court as the illegalities and irregularities in the August 8 elections," said Aukot.

The Thirdway Alliance Presidential contender described himself as the "only alternative change Kenya needs now". "Kenya has no shortage of leaders," he said.