Raila Castigates Ruto Plan to Setup Parallel Tallying Centre During August Polls

ODM leader Raila Odinga has taken a swipe at Deputy President William Ruto while in his tour of the United Kingdom.

This is after the second in command revealed plans to set up a parallel tallying centre to monitor presidential election results, during the August 9, 2022, general election.

DP Ruto while addressing the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Delegates Congress (NDC) at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Tuesday, March 15, claimed that there is a plot to rig him out of the presidential polls.

He noted that setting up a parallel tallying centre will help keep track of the August polls.

However, speaking during an interview with BBC, Odinga reminded the DP of what happened in 2017, when he termed NASA's plans of establishing a parallel tallying Centre as unconstitutional.

“Deputy president is being very economical with the truth. Last elections when we demanded to be allowed to set up a parallel tallying Centre, he is on record saying that it would be unconstitutional to have a parallel tallying Centre. Now he is saying that he is going to set up a parallel tallying Centre; so he is basically leaving in contradictions,” Odinga said.

The former premier urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure that the upcoming polls are conducted in a free and fair manner.

“As you know, I have been a victim in the past and each time I have said I would love to see free and fair elections in the Country. My demand right now would be for this electoral body to ensure that the coming elections are free and fair and verifiable.”