Nairobi News

Busia Senator Okiya Omtata on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, was amongst the dignitaries who attended President-elect Dr William Ruto’s swearing-in at International Sports Center Kasarani.

Nairobi News has established that Mr Omtata, a member of the National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) party that was under the Azimio la Umoja coalition arrived at the stadium in the company of Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale.

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In photos seen by this reporter, Mr Omtata was dressed in a bluish suit and walked into the stadium alongside Mr Khalwale, an ally to Dr Ruto and a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

This comes just hours after Mr Raila Odinga who contested against Dr Ruto on the August 9, 2022, general election said that he had received an invite to attend the swearing-in ceremony but refused to attend.

“I received a letter and a telephone call from Ruto inviting me to his inauguration set for tomorrow, September 13, 2022. I regret however that I will not be available for the inauguration because I am out of the country and I also have other serious concerns,” he said.

According to Mr Odinga, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which is in charge of the elections did not conduct a free and fair election.

He also faulted a ruling by the Supreme Court of Kenya which upheld Dr Ruto’s win saying that it was not based on the facts and the law as much as he had accepted it.

“For these reasons, the outcome of the election remains indeterminate. Once I return to the country, I will, jointly with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leaders, announce our next steps as we seek to deepen and strengthen our democracy,” he said.

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Mr Odinga had moved to the Supreme Court to challenge Dr Ruto’s win saying that the election was not conducted in a free and fair manner.

This is the second time in a week Mr Omtata has gone against the wish of Mr Odinga and leaned toward Dr Ruto’s side.

The activist was among the Azimio la Umoja senators who voted for UDA’s choice for speaker Mr Amason Kingi.

Mr Omtata – who is serving his first term – said that he chose Mr Kingi because he believes he was the most suited candidate for the race.

“I’m a member of the National Reconstruction Alliance. I will guard my autonomy jealously. I will vote on issues and convictions. I will not be whipped to vote on anything,” said Mr Omtata.

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