Opposition leader Raila has openly criticized western nations for supporting two elections in the country which were “greatly flawed.
In an address to an audience at the US policy think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC Thursday, he said the US as well as other foreign nation erred in supporting the last two polls.
Raila was particularly discontented with western envoys led by US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec for giving a clean bill of health to the polls.
“Kenya is heading towards being axed into dictatorship and your envoys have not succeeded in making things better,” he said according to the Star.
In a direct bash, he averred, “Let me blunt again…envoys have sometimes contributed to the problem. IEBC said it could not guarantee credibility of polls but envoys in Nairobi said ‘proceed’.”
After the August 8 polls which were nullified by the Supreme Court, Raila led NASA brigade on an onslaught against western envoys.
He also castigated election observers from the west for “rubber stamping” rigged polls.
Raila told the audience the purpose of his visit was to seek help in ending Kenya’s political turmoil occasioned by two “sham” elections.
“I have come to Washington to convey a very simple message. We need engagement with many arms of government to help find solutions to the problems Kenya is facing because I am convinced that all is not lost. Kenyans are asking for a fresh and credible election.”
Raila has disregarded the October 26 repeat presidential poll.
He has called for fresh election slated for February 9.
Raila has also called for a six-month interim government while a technical team appointed by NASA reviews the Constitution.
He is advocating for Constitution amendment that will scrap the Presidential system and introduce Parliamentary system.
He says this will take in the concerns of the minority who have been excluded from power; which he said has polarized the country further.
“We have had presidents from two tribes of Kenya and another one from the same is preparing to take over after 2022. [This is] a direct death for democracy yet this is supposed to stimulate development in countries as exhibited after the move from single to multiparty politics,” said he.
He also said Kenya is no different from African countries which have leaders who selfishly clamor to serve lengthy terms.
“Africa deserves better. Africa can be better governed because we currently are witnessing elections being held like rituals where the incumbent is always thought to win. This is not democracy.
The Jubilee government has a goal of ruling until 2032 and has targeted severe damage to institutions including IEBC and the judiciary.”