Stop Complaining – Mbadi Tells DP Ruto Over Election Rigging Claims

John Mbadi, the head of the ODM and the minority leader in the National Assembly, has urged Deputy President William Ruto to stop moaning and accept the changing political winds.

In response to Ruto’s concerns about election fraud and claims that the government is using the criminal justice system to intimidate politicians and residents, Mbadi stated the DP is “getting ready to contest the outcome of the presidential elections on August 9.”

“The signs are clear. The mountain is shifting and so there is no way William Ruto is going to win this presidency and that is why he has started speaking the language that he is speaking today,” said Mbadi.

He also stated that the president’s open support for ODM leader Raila Odinga does not imply that the elections will be rigged. Mbadi argued that the DP’s feelings are disingenuous because he likewise sought and failed to obtain Uhuru Kenyatta’s support.

Read: DP Ruto Asks US Leaders To Stop Rigging Attempts Ahead of Polls

Ruto’s approach, according to the Minority Leader, is hypocritical and shows that the 2013 and 2017 general elections were manipulated.

“The president supporting Raila Odinga should not be equated to Raila being supported by the government. It is his democratic right. He is a Kenyan and is still going to live in this country,” said Mbadi.

“The way the political tide has changed in the country has triggered panic among our competitors. Those areas that were seen not supporting ODM and Raila now have renewed vigour. We are now having a problem with dealing with those joining us.”

During the Sagana 3 conference in Nyeri last week, President Kenyatta backed Raila as his preferred presidential candidate.

Read Also: I’ll Beat “Political Lightweight Kid” Ruto – Raila on August Polls

Mbadi claimed that, while the move will help ODM win more votes in Mount Kenya, Raila remains a strong candidate selling his own approach.

“As we speak, he (Raila) has a clear agenda and that is what Kenyans are buying. We warned Ruto a long time ago that running for the presidency is a marathon, not a 100m race. Right now he is so fatigued, we have overtaken him and now he has turned to unnecessary complaints,” he continued.

The DP is on a 10-day tour of the United States and the United Kingdom, with his remarks implying that the approaching elections may have an impact while strangely claiming that the elections would not be rigged.

“The country is deep in discussion about our democracy, the threats to our democracy and the freedom of choice that people can choose freely without blackmail, intimidation and threats,” Ruto said.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati on Friday said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will investigate DP Ruto’s claims of planned rigging of the General Election.