In a striking development ahead of Kenya’s October 26th presidential polls, renowned international media outlet The Economist, based in London, has sharply criticized NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga. The media house accused the opposition leader of allegedly planning to incite violence as part of a broader strategy to force his way into power.
According to the article published on Wednesday, The Economist described Odinga’s political maneuvers as “undemocratic and destabilizing,” accusing him of leveraging civil unrest to delegitimize the electoral process. The publication, known for its influential political commentary, highlighted what it termed “a worrying trend” in Odinga’s recent rhetoric and tactics following his withdrawal from the repeat presidential election.
Raila Odinga’s UK Visit Raises Eyebrows
This controversy coincides with Odinga’s two-day visit to the United Kingdom, a trip widely interpreted as a move to seek international support and legitimacy for his withdrawal from the October 26 polls. While addressing audiences in London, Odinga emphasized the need for electoral reforms in Kenya, stating that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had failed to address key concerns raised after the annulled August 8 elections.
However, The Economist cast doubt on the former Prime Minister’s motives, suggesting that the UK trip may be part of a broader campaign to discredit the election outcome and rally global opinion in his favor.
Growing International Attention on Kenya’s Political Crisis
The sharp critique from The Economist signals growing international concern over the stability of Kenya’s democratic processes. With the repeat election looming, global stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, particularly the opposition’s next steps and the response of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
This isn’t the first time Raila Odinga has faced criticism from Western institutions, but the severity of The Economist’s accusations marks a new chapter in the narrative surrounding Kenya’s 2017 political crisis.
Conclusion
As the political climate in Kenya remains tense, Raila Odinga’s controversial withdrawal and international lobbying continue to spark debate both locally and globally. Whether his actions will lead to meaningful electoral reforms or escalate tensions remains to be seen. For now, the eyes of the world remain fixed on Kenya, with many hoping for a peaceful resolution.
Never in Kenyan history will Raila be president. He lost and will loss again with a bigger margin.