ODM leader Oburu Odinga addresses supporters during a public event, where he urged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to embrace peace and unity .Oburu Odinga /X
ODM leader Oburu Odinga has urged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to embrace peace and move on following his victory in the recent by-election, saying there is no reason to remain confrontational after winning.
Speaking during a public address, Oburu questioned why Gachagua continues to project what he described as a combative attitude despite emerging victorious in the poll.
He said the election had already been concluded and that the outcome should put to rest claims that the vote would be manipulated.
"When you see Gachagua, he is always in a fighting mood. He is in a fighting mood as if something has gone wrong," Oburu said. "But he has now won an election. When he has won an election, he should be congratulated."
Oburu said while Gachagua had previously expressed fears that the by-election would be stolen, the final outcome had proved otherwise. He argued that the victory should instead reinforce confidence in Kenya's electoral process.
"He appears to be still annoyed that the election was to be stolen. Stolen by whom?" Oburu asked. "You have already won the election and the IEBC has proved that it can conduct an election with some kind of independence and some impartiality."
The ODM leader said the successful conduct of the by-election demonstrated that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was capable of overseeing a credible electoral process. He urged political leaders to respect the outcome and avoid rhetoric that could heighten political tensions.
Emphasising the need for national cohesion, Oburu said Kenya requires unity rather than perpetual political confrontation. He appealed to leaders across the political divide to lower political temperatures and focus on fostering peace for the benefit of the country.
"Unity, we need peace and we don't want our friends to be annoyed all the time," he said, adding that there was no justification for remaining in campaign mode after the election had been decided.
Concluding his remarks, Oburu delivered a direct message to the former Deputy President, saying, "The election now is over. So Gachagua, keep your peace. Keep your peace."
