Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga reflected on the region’s voting decisions in the 2022 General Elections, questioning why they did not support Azimio leader Raila Odinga for the presidency.
Speaking during the burial of Jimmy Wanjigi’s father at Kianjoya in Nyeri County, Kahiga expressed his thoughts on the region’s choice not to elect Odinga.
Reacting to the current situation in the country, Kahiga stated that it is wrong for people to remain silent when many things are going wrong. The governor, who has been vocal against the Finance Bill 2024, emphasized that he would not stay silent just because he was elected on the UDA ticket.
He reminded the government of its duty to serve the people and stressed that the administration they voted for should deliver tangible benefits to the voters.
“It is wrong for us to keep quiet when men and women are doing what is not right. I will not stand aside as you do wrong whether I am wearing yellow or not. We voted for the government to give services to the people of Kenya regardless of where they come from. What we voted in must count for something,” he stated.
“Sometimes I wonder why we denied Raila Odinga the votes. I want to say here loudly that I think the Kikuyu community has been vindicated and we can work with anybody,” he added.
In Nyeri County, Raila Odinga managed 52,043 votes, while President William Ruto garnered 272,507 votes.
Mount Kenya voting
In the entire region, Ruto defeated Odinga with Odinga receiving 15,062 votes in Tharaka Nithi, 31,469 in Embu, 49,228 in Nyandarua, 37,978 in Kirinyaga, 67,181 in Murang’a, and 210,300 in Kiambu.
William Ruto was elected President of Kenya with 50.5% of the vote, defeating Raila Odinga who received 48.85% of the votes.
On August 22, 2022, Odinga filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Kenya challenging the results announced by Wafula Chebukati, who was then chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
On September 5, the Supreme Court rejected the challenge and upheld Ruto’s victory. Observers described the elections as largely peaceful and transparent. Odinga said he would respect the court verdict, although he still claimed victory.
