The Meru Council of Elders has denied supporting Azimio La Umoja Presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a presser, on Tuesday, August 23, the Njuri Ncheke elders stated that they did not endorse Raila as it was widely reported in the media.
According to the leaders, they only blessed Odinga at their shrine in order for him to seek votes in the Meru community.
The elders assured the Meru community that they will support the person who will be announced as president after the Supreme Court issues its judgement.
They also apologized to the Meru governor-elect Kawira Mwangaza for their negative comments about her when she was campaigning and seeking to unseat the outgoing Kiraitu Murungi.
The Njuri Ncheke elders who had endorsed Murungi as their preferred governor at their sacred shrine assured the governor-elect of their undivided support.
A similar move was pulled by the Kikuyu Council of Elders who had backed Odinga but changed tune and threw their weight behind President-elect William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
The chairperson Wachira Kiago stated that they had accepted the IEBC results and urged Kenyans to maintain peace.
"We concede defeat but that is not to say we were wrong. Just like the way Jesus Christ who was a messiah was crucified by the decision of the majority, it turned out that majority is not always right," he told the press.
Kiago stated that the council of elders was not guided by populist decisions or emotions, rather, it assesses situations and offers guidance based on wisdom.
He noted the elders were being taunted by people for expressing a political stand that was resolutely trashed by the electorate.
"We said we supported President Uhuru Kenyatta to be our kingpin even after retiring. We settled for supporting Raila Odinga as the most ideal presidential candidate to succeed Kenyatta. That remains the wisest stand for our community regardless of the outcome of the vote," he stated.
