NASA Leader Raila Odinga Withdraws From October 26 Presidential Election

National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga has withdrawn from the October 26 Presidential election.

Odinga on Tuesday stated that he had withdrawn from the presidential race because 'it is only through his withdrawal that the country will have a free and fair election as per the law.'

NASA's list of irreducible minimums is yet to be addressed and its leaders have maintained they will not participate in the election if major changes are not made in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

[caption caption="NASA Leader Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka"][/caption]

"We at NASA have insisted that the fresh election ordered be held to the standard ordered by the Supreme Court, that is, in strict conformity with the Constitution and written law.

"We have provided a checklist of what we deem to be the “irreducible minimum” changes required to ensure compliance and the validity of the checklist of the requirements for free and fair elections proposed by NASA has not been disputed by anyone," read part of the statement.

The leaders further added that they felt the IEBC had no intention to undertake changes to its operations and personnel hence their withdrawal.

"We have come to the conclusion that there is no intention on the part of the IEBC to undertake any changes to its operations and personnel to ensure that the “illegalities and irregularities” that led to the invalidation of the 8th August, 2008 do not happen again.

"All indications are that the election scheduled for 26 October will be worse than the previous one," added Kalonzo Musyoka.  

Odinga's withdrawal throws the country into disarray and comes on the same day as Jubilee party politicians discussed amendments to the electoral laws.

[caption caption="NASA Co-Principals"][/caption]

The former Prime Minister added during his withdrawal that the commission chaired by Wafula Chebukati should conduct fresh nominations as provided for in Elections Act 2011, Section 13 (1).

The provision states: "A political party shall nominate its candidates for an election under this act at least ninety days before a general election under this Act in accordance with its constitution rules."

Fresh nominations will allow other candidates, such as Thirdway Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot, to join the race.