Karua: Ruto is not my president

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has said she does not recognise William Ruto as the president because of the process that got him there.

Karua said the process that saw Ruto sworn in as president was flawed, and that is one of the reasons she does not recognise him at all.

“Ruto is not my president. I reckon he is in office; however, he got there. I don’t believe in the process that was given to him because it was flawed.

“At least I have the freedom to say so. I do not believe the process that gave him (the presidency),” Karua said.

Ruto defeated Karua’s Azimio La Umoja, who later contested the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) results at the Supreme Court.

The court upheld IEBC’s results and paved the way for Ruto’s presidency, but Karua pointed out why she feels the process was flawed.

“I have already indicated that even the court’s decision where it found that three is a majority in a panel of seven because even without them saying so, if four commissioners are saying we cannot vouch for that and the court trashes them, it is legitimising that three can overrule four.

“I am saying the process was flawed. It forced upon us their decision and the initial decision by Wafula Chebukati. Even if it binds us, I don’t have to believe in it,” she added.

Karua on Azimio unity

Cracks appeared to have emerged within the Azimio La Umoja camp following the report of eight-month reconciliation talks between the government and the opposition. Karua is one of the Azimio leaders who has opposed the NADCO report, but at least she has said their coalition is intact despite the divergent views.

“The Azimio coalition is together, and having divergent opinions doesn’t mean people aren’t together.

“Raila Odinga is entitled to endorse anybody he chooses; it is his democratic right. If he doesn’t endorse me, it wouldn’t rattle me,” she continued.

The former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister in Mwai Kibaki’s regime also touched on the 2027 elections.

“2027 is far away; I will pronounce it when the time comes. Even if ten other people say what they want in 2027, I’m not in any hurry; I’m totally unrattled,” Karua concluded.