Uhuru Kenyatta Says Raila Odinga Won 2022 Election Despite Official Ruto Victory

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has said he believes the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election, reviving questions over the disputed poll as political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a Jubilee Party National Executive Committee meeting in Nairobi, Kenyatta said he remained convinced that Odinga had won the presidential vote held on August 9, 2022.

Kenyatta said his administration had supported Odinga's presidential bid under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition and claimed that he knew how the election outcome had unfolded.

“Tulifanya kila kitu kumsaidia Baba awe Rais wa Jamhuri yetu ya Kenya. Na kura akapata, na mimi mpaka wa leo najua ya kwamba yeye ndiye alishinda hiyo kura,” Kenyatta said.

He also questioned how the Azimio coalition could have secured a significant number of parliamentary and other elective seats while losing the presidency.

Kenyatta's remarks amount to a personal assertion about the 2022 presidential result. The official election outcome, however, remains that President William Ruto was declared the winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), with 7,176,141 votes against Odinga's 6,942,930.

Supreme Court upheld Ruto's victory

The 2022 presidential election was challenged by Odinga and other petitioners before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the presidential results declared by the IEBC and confirmed Ruto's victory. The electoral commission has subsequently cited the court's decision in affirming the validity of the declared results.

Kenyatta's latest comments therefore represent his own account and belief about the election rather than a change to the legally determined outcome of the 2022 presidential contest.

Kenyatta defends his support for Odinga

Kenyatta also pushed back against criticism that he failed to adequately support Odinga during the 2022 campaign.

He described himself as Odinga's political “handyman” and rejected claims that he had not done enough to support the Azimio candidate.

The former president called on political actors to avoid divisive politics as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.

“Using dirty politics will not take us anywhere; let nobody try to divide us. What does it help you? Share your manifesto,” he said.

Kenyatta's support for Odinga in 2022 was publicly established before the election, when he endorsed his former political rival as the Azimio presidential candidate.

Kenyatta backs Matiang'i

Kenyatta also explained his support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, who has been associated with Jubilee's preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.

He cited Matiang'i's character and record as reasons for his support, describing him as respectful, hardworking and committed to Kenyans.

Jubilee has endorsed Matiang'i as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.

The remarks come shortly after a High Court ruling concerning retired presidents and political party leadership. Justice Lawrence Mugambi recently ruled that retired presidents cannot continue holding formal leadership positions in political parties beyond the period provided under the law. Kenyatta subsequently indicated that he would facilitate a transition in Jubilee's leadership.

Kenyatta's latest intervention places the 2022 election once again at the centre of political debate as Kenyan parties and politicians prepare for the next General Election.