Don't Block Kenyans from Voting, President Uhuru Tells Raila

President Uhuru Kenyatta has once again dismissed the withdrawal of National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga from the presidential race, saying that no candidate has the power to dictate the terms and conditions of participating in an election.

Speaking during campaign stops in Garissa, Kitui and Machakos counties on Monday, the President urged Kenyans to ignore calls by opposition to boycott the October 26th repeat election.

The President accused Raila of hiding behind anti-IEBC demos to call for reforms, when it was clear he was not ready for the election. “If you are not ready to participate in this election, nobody is forcing you to. "Just stay at home and don’t bother Kenyans who want to exercise their democratic right,” the President told the Nasa leader.

He wondered why the former Prime Minister asked for a fresh election at the Supreme Court if he intended not to participate.

President Kenyatta cautioned the opposition against blocking Kenyans from exercising their constitutional right to vote, saying the opposition should obey the verdict of the Supreme Court that ordered a fresh poll within 60 days. “The Opposition is free not to participate in the fresh October 26th election but they should not prevent those who want to exercise their democratic right of choosing their leader from doing so,” he said.

The opposition coalition has vowed to rally their supporters to give the October 26th election a wide berth after their candidate Raila Odinga announced he had pulled out of the race. Already, some opposition leaders led by Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga have said they will not allow elections in their areas.